Accounting Assistant

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Catalyst Acoustics is seeking an Accounting Manager to oversee day-to-day general ledger operations within a decentralized manufacturing environment. You will ensure accurate financial reporting, maintain internal controls, and support operational decision-making across brands.

The role requires strong technical accounting skills, 5+ years in manufacturing, and ability to collaborate across functional and regional teams. Position based in North Aurora, IL or Agawam, MA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance; CPA or CMA preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Experience in a matrixed or decentralized organization is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in U.S. GAAP; multi-entity or multi-brand experience preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Infor CSI/SyteLine, Infor Visual, Sage 100) and Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close cycles; ensure timely, accurate US GAAP financials.
• Prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Maintain management reporting packages: P&L, balance sheet, cash flow.
• Design and enforce internal controls; remediate gaps proactively.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to tax and policy requirements.
• Serve as accounting SME for ERP platforms and drive improvements.
• Partner with IT/ops to standardize COA and improve data quality.
• Manage job costing, inventory valuation, and overhead postings with cross-functional teams.
• Develop and coach accounting staff; foster accountability and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate on cross-functional projects: ERP upgrades, automation, cost reduction.

Skills

US GAAP expertise

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Team leadership

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

Infor CSI/SyteLine

Infor Visual

Sage 100

Job description

Catalyst Acoustics is seeking an Accounting Manager. The Accounting Manager plays a critical role in overseeing day-to-day general ledger operations within a decentralized, matrixed manufacturing organization. This role ensures accurate financial reporting, compliance with internal controls, and supports operational decision-making in a make-to-order production environment. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting skills with the ability to collaborate across functional and regional teams. This position will be based in North Aurora, IL or Agawam, MA and reports into the Assistant Controller.

Salary: $22.00 hourly

Contract type: Part-time

Job Responsibilities:

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close cycle; ensure timely and accurate financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and variance analyses across multiple entities and brands
• Maintain and distribute management reporting packages, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow to the Assistant Controller and senior leadership
• Design, document, and enforce internal controls; identify and remediate gaps proactively
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, tax requirements, and CAG accounting policies

ERP & Systems Management

• Serve as the accounting SME for ERP platforms in use across CAG brands (Infor CSI/SyteLine, Infor Visual, Sage 100)
• Partner with IT and operations to drive ERP improvements, chart of account standardization, and data quality
• Identify automation opportunities that reduce manual effort and improve close efficiency

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Support

• Coordinate with business unit finance and operation teams to ensure accurate accounting processes and postings for job costing, inventory valuation, and other overhead functions.
• Collaborate with brand finance, operations, and supply chain teams to analyze production costs, complete variance analysis, and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Monitor and report on work-in-progress (WIP), raw materials, and finished goods inventory.
• Directly manage a team of accounting staff; set clear goals, conduct performance reviews, and provide ongoing coaching
• Build a high-accountability, continuous-improvement culture within the accounting function
• Cross-train team members to reduce key-person risk and improve coverage across close periods
• Serve as a resource and escalation point for brand-level accounting questions across the CAG portfolio

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a liaison between finance, operations, and corporate accounting teams.
• Participate in cross-functional projects such as ERP upgrades, process automation, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Support business unit leaders with financial insights and ad hoc analysis.
• Assist with due diligence or integration accounting for any M&A activity.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Maintain and enhance internal control procedures to safeguard company assets.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Ensure proper documentation of accounting policies and procedures.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or CMA preferred).
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in a matrixed or decentralized organization is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated proficiency in U.S. GAAP; experience with multi-entity or multi-brand environments strongly preferred
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Visual, Infor Syteline, Sage 100 or similar) and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Advanced Excel skills; familiarity with Power BI or similar reporting tools
• Strong analytical, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.