General Accounting Manager-Systems & Analytics

Smithfield Foods; Smithfield (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in Virginia is seeking a General Accounting Manager to plan, direct, and manage accounting activities, ensure GAAP/SOX compliance, and deliver accurate month-end close and financial reporting. You will oversee general ledger, journal entries, reconciliations, and drive process improvements with strong internal controls.

You will partner with business and finance leaders, supervise co-sourced accounting, support audits, and lead data governance, automation, and technology

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field and 5+ years of related experience.
• CPA designation preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal controls.
• Experience with month-end close and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Ensure GAAP, SOX 404, and company policies compliance.
• Prepare journal entries and reconciliations for core entities.
• Oversee month-end close and financial reporting accuracy.
• Manage co-sourced accounting with IBM, ensuring quality deliverables.
• Provide financial analysis and variance explanation to leadership.
• Lead transformations in process improvements and data governance.
• Support audits, tax, and regulatory reporting requirements.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

SOX compliance

General ledger

Excel

SAP ERP

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA designation preferred

Tools

SAP ERP

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

The Value You’ll Bring

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

The General Accounting Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and managing general accounting activities, financial analysis, and decision support to ensure accurate and timely financial results. This role oversees general ledger accounting, month-end close, reporting, and process improvements while ensuring compliance with internal finance policies, SOX requirements, and U.S. GAAP. The position partners closely with business and finance leaders, provides oversight of co-sourced accounting activities, supports audits and strategic initiatives, and drives continuous improvement and data governance practices through technology, automation, and strong financial controls.

What You’ll Do

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Ensure Accounting Compliance & Internal Controls: Perform accounting activities in accordance with GAAP, SOX 404, and company policies; maintain and update process documentation and controls.
• Manage General Ledger Accounting: Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, calculations, analyses, and supporting documentation for core business entities, joint ventures, and partnerships.
• Lead Month-End Close & Financial Accuracy: Coordinate and oversee month-end close activities, implement error-prevention controls, resolve issues, and ensure accurate and timely financial results.
• Oversee Co-Sourced Accounting Operations: Review and monitor accounting activities performed by IBM, ensuring policy compliance, quality deliverables, timely execution, and effective issue resolution.
• Provide Financial Analysis & Reporting: Prepare and analyze financial reports, SG&A results, account variances, and flux commentary; research and explain financial results to management and business partners.
• Partner with Business Leaders & Stakeholders: Serve as the primary accounting liaison for assigned functions, providing reporting support, budgeting guidance, coding direction, issue resolution, and accounting expertise.
• Support Budgeting, Forecasting & Decision-Making: Assist with SG&A budget development and provide financial insights to support planning and informed business decisions.
• Support Audits, Tax & Financial Reporting Requirements: Respond to audit, tax, regulatory, and financial reporting requests by leveraging a strong understanding of financial statements and underlying transactions.
• Drive Process Improvement & Technology Enablement: Identify and implement process improvements, system enhancements, accounting tools, automation, and AI solutions to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
• Lead Systems, Projects & Master Data Governance: Support acquisitions, system conversions, and software implementations; serve as subject matter expert for accounting systems, SAP processes, and RTR master data governance.
• Collaborate Across Functions & Resolve Complex Issues: Partner with Finance, FP&A, Financial Reporting, and other stakeholders to research transactions, resolve issues, assess accounting impacts, and improve processes.
• Leadership: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

What We’re Seeking

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Education & Professional Credentials: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Accounting, or related discipline from an accredited college or university and 5+ years related experience; required. 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
• CPA designation preferred.
• Public accounting experience strongly encouraged.
• Accounting & Financial Expertise: Thorough knowledge of accounting and business principles, including U.S. GAAP, internal controls, and financial policies. Strong experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, financial analysis, and reporting.
• Systems & Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of SAP ERP systems preferred. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong decision-making, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities. Solid mathematical aptitude with the ability to interpret and analyze financial data. Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to think creatively and anticipate business impacts.
• Organization & Execution: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Communication & Relationship Management: Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to effectively collaborate across functions and build trusted business relationships. Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and sound business judgment.

Other Skills That Make You Stand Out

• Teamwork & Leadership Effectiveness: Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment. Committed to fostering a respectful, approachable, and positive workplace culture.
• Travel: Ability to travel up to 10% based on business and project needs.

The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 - $120,000 annually.

Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package.

Learn more about our benefits package here.

Relocation Package Available No

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.