Plant Accounting Manager

Summary: This role is responsible for facilitating development of the plant's financial plan, adherence to it, development of forecasts, and accuracy of such, proactive identification and mitigation of potential impediments to achieving financial results, and serving as an accountability partner regarding expense management for the plant manager and their direct reports.Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Financial Planning and Budgeting Lead the development of the plant’s annual operating budget in alignment with corporate financial goals and timelines. Collaborate with operational leaders to ensure budget assumptions are accurate, achievable, and aligned with strategic objectives. Develop capital expenditure budgets in coordination with plant engineering and operations team. Forecasting and Financial Analysis Prepare monthly financial forecasts, incorporating key business drivers, risks, and opportunities. Monitor performance against forecasts and budgets, providing insightful variance analysis and recommending corrective actions where necessary. Expense Management and Accountability Serve as a key financial advisor and accountability partner to the Plant Manager and departmental leaders. Guide and challenge cost center owners to manage spending responsibly and within budget constraints. Implement and monitor effective cost controls and promote a culture of financial discipline and accountability. Reporting and Accuracy Ensure timely and accurate preparation of all plant-level financial reports, including month-end close activities, journal entries, reconciliations, and accruals. Maintain integrity and accuracy of financial data, ensuring compliance with corporate accounting policies and GAAP. Coordinate with corporate finance teams to align reporting requirements and timelines. Risk Mitigation and Continuous Improvement Proactively identify financial risks, inefficiencies, or opportunities impacting plant performance. Lead or support initiatives to mitigate financial risks and improve cost efficiency, profitability, and financial visibility. Participate in cross-functional projects aimed at operational and financial performance improvement. Compliance and Internal Controls Ensure the plant’s compliance with internal controls, company policies, and external regulations. Support audits (internal and external) and take corrective actions where necessary. Team Leadership and Collaboration Supervise and develop plant accounting staff, fostering a high-performance team environment. Facilitate knowledge sharing and promote best practices across the plant and broader finance organization. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience required CPA or CMA designation preferred 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including at least 2 years in a manufacturing or plant environment Prior experience in cost accounting, budgeting, and financial planning & analysis (FP&A) Experience supporting operational leaders with financial insights and accountability Strong knowledge of GAAP and internal control frameworks Proficient in ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics is a plus) Advanced Excel skills; proficiency with financial modeling, pivot tables, and data analysis tools Proven ability to lead and develop accounting or finance teams Strong business acumen with a proactive, problem-solving mindset Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence and collaborate across functional teams High attention to detail and accuracy with the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment Strong sense of ownership and accountability Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business needs Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team Valid driver's license required