Operational Accountant

Operational Accountant

Our client is an organization in the Appleton area looking for an Operational Accountant. Our client is looking for someone with a strong accounting foundation, excellent analytical skills, and an interest in working closely with business operations. This role goes beyond traditional staff accounting and provides an opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to plant operations, financial performance, and process improvement.

The salary range for this position is $75k–85k.

The Operational Accountant will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Partner with plants and operational teams to provide accounting support and insight into day-to-day business activities.
• Support monthly close activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial analysis.
• Review financial and operational results to identify trends, variances, and areas requiring additional analysis.
• Assist with accounting activities related to inventory, production, costs, and other plant-level transactions.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial reports to support operational decision-making.
• Maintain accurate general ledger accounts and research and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Work directly with operations to understand business activity and ensure transactions are appropriately reflected in financial results.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and other financial planning activities as needed.
• Develop a strong understanding of plant processes and use that knowledge to provide meaningful financial support to the business.
• Utilize ERP systems and Excel to analyze financial information, prepare reports, and improve visibility into operational performance.
• Support internal controls, audit requests, and other accounting compliance activities.
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting processes, enhance reporting, and improve overall efficiency.
• Proactively communicate findings, ask questions, and recommend solutions to accounting and operational leadership.
• Support additional accounting, finance, and operational projects as responsibilities continue to develop.

The Operational Accountant will possess the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years of accounting experience preferred; relevant accounting internships may be considered toward experience.
• Strong general accounting foundation with exposure to journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Manufacturing, plant accounting, cost accounting, or other operations-focused accounting experience is a plus.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyze and organize financial information.
• Experience working with an ERP system preferred; SAP exposure is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an interest in understanding the operational drivers behind financial results.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work directly with operational and finance teams.
• Self-motivated and eager to learn with the confidence to ask questions and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a willingness to identify and suggest better ways of working.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt as responsibilities evolve in a fast-paced environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The compensation philosophy reflects the Company's reasonable expectation at the time of posting. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience level, and overall qualifications. This role may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary incentive program and company-sponsored benefits, subject to the rules governing those programs.