Plant Accounting Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Plant Accounting Manager

Salary: $100,000 – $115,000 annually

Position Overview

The Plant Accounting Manager serves as a key financial partner to plant operations, providing accurate reporting, insightful analysis, and cost control leadership. This role oversees cost accounting, inventory management, and general accounting functions while delivering actionable insights that drive operational efficiency, margin improvement, and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Inventory Management (50%)

• Lead the development, annual review, and maintenance of inventory standard costs (materials, labor, and overhead).
• Analyze and report monthly manufacturing and inventory variances, including purchase price variance (PPV), absorption, and freight.
• Manage inventory-related balance sheet accounts, including reserves, intercompany profit in stock, inventory in transit, and warranty reserves.
• Oversee all components of Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), including:
• • Evaluating drivers of purchasing and manufacturing variances against plan
  • Partnering with Operations to review standard costs, bills of materials (BOMs), and product margins
  • Developing margin reporting by product and customer
• Support strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting with cost insights and analysis.
• Ensure the effectiveness of cycle counting programs and inventory accuracy metrics.
• Coordinate and lead annual physical inventory and periodic cycle counts.

General Accounting & Financial Reporting (50%)

• Manage full-cycle month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Perform account reconciliations, including intercompany accounts, and analyze COGS and operating expenses.
• Prepare and present management reports with clear variance analysis (including price/volume analysis).
• Partner with program and operations leaders to evaluate contract costs, margins, and overall financial performance.
• Support Weekly Business Reviews with relevant financial insights.
• Lead and support the annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Assist with external audits and ensure compliance with accounting standards and internal policies.
• Serve as a financial resource to Operations and Sales, addressing business questions and providing decision support.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field (required)

Experience

• 5+ years of accounting experience in a manufacturing environment with strong cost accounting exposure
• Experience working in an MRP/ERP-driven environment
• Proven involvement in month-end close, inventory costing, and COGS analysis

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to partner across functions
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Proactive, dependable, and results-driven
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; strong MS Office skills