Accounting Manager

Movement Search & Delivery; Muskegon (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Movement Search and Delivery is partnering with a leading global manufacturing organization to identify an Accounting Manager, Manufacturing Cost Accounting, to join the plant finance team in Muskegon, MI. This role focuses on cost accounting, standard costing, manufacturing variance analysis, inventory accounting, and P&L performance.

The Accounting Manager will lead accounting and financial reporting, ensuring GAAP compliance, internal controls, and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• CPA and/or CMA preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including manufacturing and cost accounting.
• Prior supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, cost accounting, and financial analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead close processes and ensure timely, GAAP-compliant financial reporting.
• Prepare statements, reconciliations, journal entries, and schedules per GAAP/SOX.
• Oversee GL, fixed assets, accruals, prepaid expenses, and intercompany transactions.
• Analyze results, variances, risks, and opportunities.
• Support audits, tax reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and internal controls.
• Manage daily cash activity, wire transfers, AP funding and payments.
• Direct credit, collections, and working capital management.
• Cost accounting and manufacturing finance: standard costing and variances.
• Budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Prepare monthly financial analyses and KPI reporting.
• Monitor KPIs: gross margin, inventory turns, EBITDA, working capital.
• Partner with leaders to drive profitability and operational results.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA preferred

CMA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Movement Search and Delivery is partnering with a leading global manufacturing organization in Muskegon, MI, to identify and evaluate an Accounting Manager Manufacturing Cost Accounting.

On-Site / Hybrid / Remote:

On-Site

Salary Goals:

$110k-$120k + Quarterly Bonus

About the Role:

Our client, a well-established global manufacturing organization, is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst, Manufacturing Cost Accounting to join its plant finance team. This highly visible role will have a strong focus on cost accounting, standard costing, manufacturing variance analysis, inventory accounting, and P&L performance.

The Accounting Manager will lead the accounting and financial reporting functions for the organization, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information, compliance with GAAP and company policies, effective internal controls, and timely reporting. Partner with operational and executive leaders to drive financial performance, support strategic decision‑making, optimize working capital, and strengthen overall business results.

• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare and review financial statements, account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules in compliance with GAAP/SOX.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and oversee all accounting activities, including fixed assets, accruals, prepaid expenses, and intercompany transactions.
• Analyze financial results and provide meaningful insights regarding variances, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support external audits, tax reporting requirements, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Develop, implement, and maintain effective accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Handle daily cash management activity – including monitoring bank account balances, incoming and outgoing wire transfer activity, AP disbursement account funding and AP Payment and Wire releases

Accounts Receivable, Credit & Working Capital Management

• Direct customer credit and collections activities through comprehensive credit risk assessment, credit limit administration, payment behavior monitoring, collection strategy execution, and cross-functional coordination to minimize financial risk, improve cash flow, and support profitable growth.
• Monitor accounts receivable aging, collection effectiveness, and customer payment trends to ensure timely cash collection and reduced bad debt exposure.
• Partner with Sales, Customer Service, and Operations teams to resolve customer disputes, manage credit holds, and facilitate appropriate order release decisions.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Assist in cost accounting activities, including standard cost maintenance, inventory valuation, variance analysis, and cost allocation methodologies.
• Analyze material, labor, overhead, scrap, yield, and production variances to identify operational improvement opportunities.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Procurement teams to improve profitability, cost efficiency, and inventory management.
• Monitor inventory accuracy, reserves, cycle count programs, and physical inventory processes.
• Evaluate product and customer profitability and provide recommendations to improve margins and operational performance.
• Assist in annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes for manufacturing operations.
• Prepare and present monthly financial performance analyses, including comparisons to budget, forecast, prior year, and key operational metrics.
• Develop financial models and business analyses to support strategic initiatives, pricing decisions, capital investments, and operational improvements.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators, including gross margin, inventory turns, working capital, labor productivity, manufacturing efficiency, and EBITDA performance.
• Partner with business leaders to identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions that drive financial and operational results.

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and improve the quality and timeliness of financial information.
• Support ERP system enhancements, reporting automation initiatives, and business process optimization efforts.
• Serve as a trusted business partner to leadership by providing actionable financial guidance and operational support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA and/or CMA preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including manufacturing and cost accounting responsibility.
• Prior supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, cost accounting, and financial analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with both financial and operational stakeholders.

About Movement Search and Delivery:

MOVEMENT is a national executive search firm that connects companies with exceptional talent across engineering, manufacturing, finance, supply chain, information technology, sales, legal, and human resources.