Accounting Analyst / Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant / Accounting Analyst

Location: Raleigh, NC or Lexington, NC (Hybrid) Training Location: Lexington, NC Reports To: VP of Finance

Launch Your Accounting Career with a Growing Manufacturing Company

Are you a recent accounting graduate or early-career professional looking for an opportunity to gain hands-on experience across multiple areas of accounting and finance?

Piedmont Candy Company is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Staff Accountant / Accounting Analyst to join our growing Finance team. This role offers exposure to accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory accounting, financial reporting, month-end close, and process improvement initiatives, making it an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a strong foundation and accelerate their accounting career.

This position can be based in either our Raleigh or Lexington, North Carolina office. However, the successful candidate must be able to travel to our Lexington manufacturing facility at least once per week. Initial onboarding and training will take place primarily in Lexington, so more frequent onsite presence will be required during the first several weeks.

If you're eager to learn, enjoy solving problems, and want to work alongside experienced finance leaders who will help you grow professionally, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

Accounts Payable

• Set up and maintain vendor records and documentation.
• Review, code, and process vendor invoices.
• Route invoices for approvals and ensure compliance with internal controls.
• Prepare vendor payment runs.
• Respond to vendor inquiries and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with banking and cash management activities.

Accounts Receivable

• Set up and maintain customer records.
• Create sales orders and customer invoices.
• Apply customer payments and reconcile cash receipts.
• Monitor aging reports and assist with collections activities.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Prepare journal entries and supporting schedules.
• Perform account reconciliations.
• Support monthly and year-end close processes.
• Maintain accurate and complete accounting records.

Inventory & Cost Accounting Support

• Assist with inventory reconciliations.
• Support physical inventory counts.
• Help analyze production, inventory, and cost-related data.
• Investigate discrepancies and variances.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and streamline processes.
• Support automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with ad hoc financial analysis and reporting projects.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1–3 years of accounting or finance experience.
• Internship experience in accounting, finance, auditing, or business analytics.
• Manufacturing, inventory, or cost accounting experience.
• Experience with QuickBooks, ERP systems, or other accounting software.

Why This Role is Different

This is not a narrow, transactional accounting position. You'll gain exposure to multiple areas of accounting and finance while working directly with experienced leaders in a growing manufacturing organization.

This role is ideal for:

• Recent graduates looking to launch their accounting career.
• Professionals with 1–3 years of experience seeking broader exposure.
• Individuals interested in eventually pursuing senior accounting, financial analysis, cost accounting, or leadership opportunities.

You'll have the opportunity to develop practical accounting skills, learn manufacturing finance, participate in process improvements, and build a strong foundation for long-term career growth.

Piedmont Candy is an Equal Opportunity Employer