Staff Accountant

Company Description HARLO has been manufacturing durable, rough terrain forklifts for nearly nine decades, rooted in a commitment to building equipment that outlasts demanding workloads. Founded on the principle that every mast must exceed the life of whatever it lifts, the company continues to uphold strong traditions of quality and reliability. All HARLO machines are designed, welded, and assembled in Grandville, Michigan, with no shortcuts in materials or craftsmanship. The organization values hard work, consistency, and delivering long-term value to owners. Team members can expect to contribute to a company that is proud of its legacy and focused on lasting performance and customer satisfaction.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Controller, this position serves as a crucial accounting resource for employee, customer, and vendor inquiries. First of all, the Staff Accountant is responsible for assisting with all accounting functions at Harlo. This position ensures the accuracy and timeliness of accounting transactions, maintains financial records, processes month-end and year-end close activities. This role also has a strong background in inventory and manufacturing cost accounting and will assist with cost analysis. Annual audit preparation work is essential. Overseeing and administering employee benefits is a requirement. Finally, this role serves as backup to payroll processing, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Accounting Responsibilities

• Assist with Month-end and Year-end responsibilities. This includes handling credit card reconciliations, expense reporting, bank account reconciliations, preparing supporting schedules, and posting journal entries.
• Prepare for audits, financial reporting, budgeting, and special accounting projects.
• Analyze changes to raw materials, work in process, and/or manufacturing methods to determine effects on costs.
• Communicate and work with other departments to update cost of overhead and labor as necessary.
• Analyze product profitability and margin on a regular basis, which also includes a monthly product costing variance analysis.
• Maintain organized accounting records and files.
• Reconcile benefit invoices, payroll data and prepare payroll-related journal entries for Controller review.
• Follow established internal controls and promptly report discrepancies or concerns.
• Identify and recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Help lead AI and digital transformation of the accounting department.

Supporting Responsibilities

· Payroll: Understanding the payroll system and serving as a backup to that role. This includes processing payroll accurately and on schedule, including regular wages, overtime, PTO, deductions, and authorized adjustments.

· Accounts Receivable: Monitoring customer accounts and escalating any collection to the Controller as necessary.

· Accounts Payable: Reviewing, coding, and entering vendor invoices in accordance with company procedures. This also includes matching invoices to purchase orders and receiving documentation when applicable. Finally, this job requires maintaining vendor records, W-9 documentation, for annual reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in industrial/manufacturing accounting, payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles, account reconciliations, and general accounting practices.
• Benefits Administration work is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, payroll, and timekeeping software.
• Skill with AI is preferable.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling employee and financial information.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Primarily office-based work environment.
• Frequent use of computers and other standard office equipment.
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.