Accounting Manager - Manufacturing

Accounting Manager - Manufacturing

$120000 - $140000 per year | Trout Valley, IL | On-site | Permanent

Our client, a growing manufacturing company, is seeking an experienced Accounting Manager to oversee the company's general ledger and day-to-day accounting operations. Reporting directly to the President, this position will take ownership of the accounting function, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and timely month-end close.

• High visibility:
  Work directly with the President and senior leadership.
• Ownership:
  Take ownership of the GL and accounting function rather than being one small piece of a large organization.
• Impact:
  Help improve accounting processes, controls, reporting, and overall financial operations.
• Manufacturing exposure:
  Gain hands‑on experience with inventory, costing, operational accounting, and manufacturing finance.
• Growth:
  Join a company with opportunities to grow your responsibilities and career alongside the business.
• Collaborative environment:
  Partner closely with operations and leadership and see how your work directly impacts the company.
• Hands‑on role: A great opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the numbers, solving problems, and making improvements.

This is a hands‑on role ideal for an accounting professional who enjoys working in a dynamic manufacturing environment and can operate independently while partnering closely with company leadership, operations, and other cross‑functional teams.

• Own the company's general ledger and ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records.
• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and year‑end close processes.
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and adjusting entries.
• Analyze financial results, identify variances, and provide explanations to management.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reporting.
• Maintain the chart of accounts and ensure proper accounting treatment of transactions.
• Ensure accounting policies and procedures are consistently followed.

• Oversee accounting related to manufacturing operations, including inventory, cost of goods sold, and manufacturing expenses.
• Monitor inventory valuation and reconcile inventory accounts to the general ledger.
• Partner with operations to understand production costs, material usage, labor, overhead, and variances.
• Analyze manufacturing and inventory‑related variances and communicate key findings to leadership.
• Support costing, budgeting, forecasting, and other financial analyses as needed.

• Provide oversight of AP and AR activities and ensure transactions are recorded accurately and timely.
• Monitor customer receivables, collections, and outstanding balances.
• Review vendor activity and ensure proper expense classification.
• Assist with cash management, bank reconciliations, and cash flow reporting.

• Maintain strong internal accounting controls and identify opportunities to improve processes.
• Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, tax professionals, and other third‑party partners.
• Support annual financial statement and tax audits.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and company policies.
• Maintain organized and audit‑ready accounting records.

• Serve as the primary accounting resource for the President and company leadership.
• Provide management with accurate financial information and actionable insights.
• Partner with operations and other departments to improve financial processes and controls.
• Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve accounting processes.
• Manage and develop accounting staff, as applicable.
• Take ownership of accounting issues and proactively resolve discrepancies.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing or product‑based environment.
• Strong general ledger and month‑end close experience.
• Experience with inventory and manufacturing…