Plant Accountant

Novipax; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Novipax in Oak Brook, IL seeks a detail-oriented Cost Accountant to manage financial health of production operations. You will lead cost accounting, inventory controls, and GAAP-compliant reporting, partnering with production teams to drive efficiency and cost savings.

The role requires 3–5 years of manufacturing accounting experience, strong Excel skills, and IQMS familiarity. Travel up to 50% to sites is required; remote work not offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience, with experience in a manufacturing environment being preferred.
• Proficiency in accounting software, IQMS experience is a bonus.
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel, including manipulating large datasets and financial modeling.
• Understanding of U.S. GAAP as it applies to a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of standard costing in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review accurate and timely financial statements.
• Conduct variance analysis to explain deviations from budgets and forecasts.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, margins, and variances to support operational efficiency and cost optimization.
• Provide insights and recommendations to management for informed decision-making.
• Oversee and manage the general ledger, ensuring proper recording and classification of transactions.
• Execute month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Perform monthly account reconciliations to ensure accuracy.
• Develop, maintain, and understand standard costs for manufacturing.
• Monitor and analyze manufacturing costs, including raw materials, labor, and overheads.
• Track inventory, ensuring accuracy and validity through reconciliation and cycle count reporting.
• Collaborate with production and operations teams to improve yield and efficiency, identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and relevant financial regulations.
• Assist with internal and external audits, including preparing documentation and providing support.
• Assist with tax preparation and compliance (income tax, sales tax, etc.).
• Contribute to the budgeting process, assisting in the creation of budgets and financial forecasts.
• Provide insights for future financial planning and goal setting.
• Must be willing to travel up to 50% of time to manufacturing sites.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

IQMS

Microsoft Excel

Job description

This role plays a crucial role in managing and overseeing the financial health of the production operations.

Key responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare and review accurate and timely financial statements
• Conduct variance analysis to explain deviations from budgets and forecasts.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, margins, and variances to support operational efficiency and cost optimization.
• Provide insights and recommendations to management for informed decision-making.

General Ledger and Month-End Close:

• Oversee and manage the general ledger, ensuring proper recording and classification of transactions.
• Execute month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Perform monthly account reconciliations to ensure accuracy.

Cost Accounting and Inventory Management:

• Develop, maintain, and understand standard costs for manufacturing.
• Monitor and analyze manufacturing costs, including raw materials, labor, and overheads.
• Track inventory, ensuring accuracy and validity through reconciliation and cycle count reporting.
• Collaborate with production and operations teams to improve yield and efficiency, identifying cost-saving opportunities.

Compliance and Internal Controls:

• Ensure compliance with GAAP and relevant financial regulations.
• Assist with internal and external audits, including preparing documentation and providing support.
• Assist with tax preparation and compliance (income tax, sales tax, etc.).
• Budgeting and Forecasting:
• Contribute to the budgeting process, assisting in the creation of budgets and financial forecasts.
• Provide insights for future financial planning and goal setting.

Preferred Experience and Competencies:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Experience:

Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience, with experience in a manufacturing environment being preferred.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in accounting software, IQMS experience is a bonus.
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel, including manipulating large datasets and financial modeling.
• Understanding of U.S. GAAP as it applies to a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of standard costing in a manufacturing environment.

Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Travel:

Must be willing to travel up to 50% of time to manufacturing sites.