Senior Bookkeeper - Centralized Accounting (Lafayette)

Job Requirements

We are seeking a highly experienced, detail-oriented, and analytical Bookkeeper to manage and support centralized accounting functions for our aerospace manufacturing operations in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Los Angeles, California. This position is based in Lafayette and will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, performing detailed account reconciliations, analyzing financial transactions, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring the integrity of accounting information across both locations. The ideal candidate must possess strong accounting knowledge, exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently while managing multiple accounting priorities. We are seeking an individual who goes beyond basic bookkeeping and demonstrates the ability to investigate discrepancies, evaluate financial data, and proactively identify and resolve accounting issues.

Key Responsibilities

General Accounting & Bookkeeping

• Manage daily bookkeeping and accounting activities for both company locations.

• Maintain accurate and organized financial records in accordance with established accounting practices.

• Prepare, review, and post journal entries, including necessary adjustments and corrections.

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure transactions are properly classified and recorded.

• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing activities.

• Maintain accurate supporting documentation for financial transactions.

Account Reconciliation & Financial Analysis

• Perform detailed reconciliations of bank accounts, credit cards, general ledger accounts, and other balance sheet accounts.

• Analyze account balances and investigate unusual transactions, discrepancies, and variances.

• Identify and resolve accounting errors, ensuring timely corrections and proper documentation.

• Reconcile accounts payable and accounts receivable subledgers to the general ledger.

• Review transactions across both locations to ensure consistency and accuracy.

• Analyze financial data to identify trends, inconsistencies, and opportunities for process improvement.

• Prepare reconciliation schedules and supporting documentation for management review.

• Monitor outstanding reconciling items and ensure timely resolution.

Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable

• Review and process vendor invoices, ensuring proper coding, accuracy, and supporting documentation.

• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve billing discrepancies.

• Monitor outstanding payables and assist with payment scheduling.

• Maintain customer accounts, record payments, and reconcile outstanding receivables.

• Investigate payment discrepancies, unapplied cash, and aged account balances.

• Coordinate with purchasing, operations, and management to resolve invoice and payment issues.

Centralized Accounting Operations

• Support accounting functions for both Lafayette and Los Angeles facilities from the Lafayette office.

• Ensure consistent accounting procedures and financial reporting practices across both locations.

• Review and reconcile financial transactions associated with each facility.

• Maintain accurate accounting records by location, department, or cost center, as applicable.

• Coordinate with purchasing, production, and management teams to ensure accurate financial information.

• Assist in improving centralized accounting procedures, internal controls, and reporting efficiency.

Financial Reporting & Month-End Close

• Assist with the preparation of monthly financial statements and management reports.

• Prepare supporting schedules and account reconciliations for month-end close.

• Analyze expenses, account activity, and budget variances.

• Identify unusual financial activity and communicate findings to management.

• Assist with audit preparation and requests for accounting documentation.

• Ensure assigned accounting deadlines are consistently met.

Work Experience

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive bookkeeping or accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

• Demonstrated experience performing complex account reconciliations and general ledger analysis.

• Strong understanding of accounting principles, including accrual accounting and general ledger procedures.

• Proven ability to investigate discrepancies and independently resolve accounting issues.

• Experience managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and month-end closing activities.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, and data analysis.

• Experience working with accounting software or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage accounting responsibilities for multiple business locations.

• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and financial recordkeeping.

• Ability to handle confidential financial information with professionalism and discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• Previous accounting experience in aerospace, manufacturing, or a production-based environment.

• Experience with Epicor Kinetic ERP or similar manufacturing ERP systems.

• Familiarity with inventory accounting, cost of goods sold, work-in-process (WIP), and manufacturing-related financial transactions.

• Experience supporting centralized or multi-location accounting operations.

• Knowledge of internal controls and financial reporting procedures.

Key Competencies

Analytical Thinking: Ability to critically evaluate accounting data, identify irregularities, and determine appropriate corrective actions.

Reconciliation Expertise: Strong ability to reconcile complex accounts, trace discrepancies to their source, and ensure accurate financial balances.

Problem-Solving: Demonstrates initiative and sound judgment in investigating and resolving accounting issues independently.

Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Maintains a high degree of accuracy and completeness in all financial records and reporting.

Accountability & Reliability: Takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, follows through on outstanding issues, and consistently meets deadlines.

Communication & Collaboration: Communicates effectively with management and operational teams across multiple locations.

Position Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to work independently with minimal supervision, demonstrate strong ownership of accounting responsibilities, and maintain accurate, timely, and reliable financial records for both company locations.

This position requires an experienced accounting professional who can not only process transactions but also analyze financial information, recognize discrepancies, and take the initiative to investigate and resolve issues.