Assistant Controller

Job Description

The Assistant Controller is a key finance partner supporting the accounting and operational functions of a rapidly growing industrial manufacturing company. The role is heavily focused on cost accounting, inventory valuation, manufacturing reporting, operational performance analysis, and financial controls.

This position partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Engineering, and Plant Leadership to ensure accurate product costing, inventory integrity, timely financial reporting, and actionable insight into manufacturing performance. The successful candidate will be hands-on, analytical, and comfortable working in a fast-paced plant environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

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• Own and maintain standard costing systems, policies, and methodologies.
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• Partner with Operations to establish and update material, labor, and manufacturing overhead standards.
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• Lead monthly cost accounting close activities and prepare clear, actionable variance reporting.
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• Analyze purchase price, material usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption, production yield, scrap, and other manufacturing variances.
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• Monitor inventory valuation and ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and company accounting policies.
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• Support annual standard cost roll processes and periodic cost updates.
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• Analyze product, customer, and manufacturing profitability and recommend actions to improve margin and operating performance.
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Operations Partnership

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• Serve as a finance business partner to plant operations, supply chain, purchasing, and engineering leadership.
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• Participate in operational review meetings and translate financial results into practical performance insights.
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• Provide analysis related to production performance, inventory, scrap and yield, labor utilization, capacity, throughput, and cost reduction initiatives.
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• Support capital expenditure analysis, business cases, and post-implementation reviews.
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• Evaluate the financial impact of manufacturing process improvements, sourcing decisions, and operational investments.
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Financial Reporting & Close

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• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
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• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
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• Prepare and analyze financial statements, management reports, and monthly operating performance packages.
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• Maintain balance sheet integrity through disciplined reconciliations and account analysis.
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• Ensure accurate accounting and reporting for inventory, fixed assets, reserves, and manufacturing costs.
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Inventory & Internal Controls

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• Oversee inventory accounting processes and related financial controls.
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• Support cycle count programs and inventory accuracy initiatives.
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• Analyze inventory adjustments, excess and obsolete inventory, and root causes of discrepancies.
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• Develop and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and manufacturing accounting processes.
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Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

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• Assist with annual budgeting, periodic forecasting, and long-range planning activities.
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• Develop financial models and scenario analyses to support operational decision-making.
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• Analyze trends in materials, labor, freight, overhead, inventory, and operating expenses.
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• Track and report key manufacturing and financial performance indicators.
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• Provide timely ad hoc analysis for finance, operations, and executive leadership.
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Leadership & Process Improvement

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• Mentor and support accounting team members as assigned.
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• Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes, management reporting, and close efficiency.
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• Improve reporting automation, data quality, and ERP utilization.
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• Participate in ERP enhancements, system implementations, and finance transformation initiatives.
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• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, accuracy, and operational excellence.
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Qualifications:

Required

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• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
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• 4-6 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
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• Strong experience in a manufacturing environment.
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• Demonstrated expertise in cost accounting, standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.
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• Experience supporting monthly close, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
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• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with manufacturing ERP systems.
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• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
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• Ability to build effective partnerships with finance and non-finance leaders at all levels of the organization.
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Preferred

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• CPA, CMA, and/or MBA.
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• Experience with ERP systems such as Epicor, Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, or a comparable manufacturing platform.
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• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting, FP&A, and capital investment analysis.
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• Experience with process improvement, system implementation, or reporting automation initiatives.
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