Accounting Manager

Gladwin Machinery Solutions has specialized in metal fabrication equipment since 1973, partnering with both emerging start-ups and established Fortune 500 manufacturers. The company focuses on matching each customer with the right equipment and support, regardless of project size or complexity. Gladwin’s sales, service, and support operations cover much of the Midwest. We are looking for an Accounting Manager to own the day-to-day operations of the accounting department and bring consistency and rigor to how we close, report, and control the numbers across a growing, multi-site organization. You will build strong working relationships with, and provide functional (dotted-line) guidance to, AP/AR staff who sit locally in each branch office and report administratively to their General Manager, keeping those teams aligned on process, timing, and accuracy without owning their day-to-day priorities. There are no direct reports in this role today, but as the organization grows, this role has real potential to take on direct reports. Key Responsibilities Build credibility and strong working relationships across the accounting function; Provide dotted-line functional oversight of local AP/AR personnel who sit within each branch office and report solid-line to their General Manager, setting shared standards, timelines, and quality expectations. Partner with General Managers on staffing, training, and performance concerns affecting local AP/AR functions, without disrupting the local reporting relationship. Assign projects and direct staff across the matrix to ensure compliance, consistency, and accuracy company-wide. Manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department, including: Month-end and year-end close process, AP/AR (including consolidation of local office activity), cash and treasury reporting, sales tax processing and accounting, sales commissions calculations and expense, general ledger, bank account reconciliations, capital asset tracking including ROU assets, and debt activity. Monitor and analyze accounting data and produce timely, accurate financial reports and statements for management. Establish and enforce proper accounting methods, policies, and internal control principles across all offices, including locally-managed AP/AR. Coordinate and complete annual audits; serve as a key point of contact for auditors. Maintain compliance with GAAP and applicable regulations; monitor for changes and update policy accordingly. Maintain fiscal files and records to properly document transactions across the organization. Improve systems and procedures across the accounting function and initiate corrective actions where needed. Standardize AP/AR processes across branch offices so local teams work from one consistent playbook. Provide recommendations to leadership and champion a continuous improvement mindset across the team. Extract, manipulate, and consolidate large volumes of data from multiple office locations to support close, reporting, and analysis. Use AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT) to accelerate analysis, drafting reconciliations, variance narratives, and report generation, and apply professional judgment to review and validate the output before it goes out the door. Partner on ERP enhancements and integrations as the company and its branch network scale. Support the broader organization with Financial ERP system (Business Central) Qualifications & Experience Required Proven knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting principles, practices, standards, laws, and regulations. Advanced computer skills on MS Office, accounting software, and databases. Ability to direct and supervise a team, including staff who are not direct reports (matrix/dotted-line oversight). High attention to detail and accuracy. BS degree in Accounting or Finance. Comfort using AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT) as a multiplier for accounting analysis Preferred / Nice to Have Proven working experience as an Accounting Manager, Accounting Supervisor, or Finance Manager. Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. CPA license preferred. Experience supporting a multi-location or matrixed organization, with AP/AR functions distributed across offices. Experience supporting an external audit or working directly with auditors. Background in manufacturing, distribution, or industrial services. What we are looking for: Strong people leader: Builds trust quickly, including with teams that report elsewhere on paper. Proactive problem-solver: Brings a recommended path forward, not just the problem. Collaborative influencer: Earns credibility across the organization and gets buy-in on recommended changes without formal authority over every team involved. Detail-oriented with perspective: Gets the numbers right while understanding how the work connects to broader business outcomes. Curious and adaptable: Comfortable adopting new tools — including AI — and applying them responsibly to real accounting work. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities and may be subject to change at the company's discretion. #J-18808-Ljbffr