Plant Accountant

Packaging Corporation of America; Palmyra (Lebanon County); On-site; USD 78,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range $78k-$117k

3 weeks paid vacation

Paid holidays

401(k) plan with employer match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life/AD&D and disability coverages

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is seeking a Plant Accountant to organize and coordinate the plant's general accounting activities, close the books, prepare reports, and analyze variances.

This role requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, at least 3 years of accounting experience, and strong Excel skills. You’ll support payroll, forecasts, and maintain internal controls while contributing to financial rigor and operational excellence across our manufacturing locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required.
• Three years of accounting experience preferred.
• Strong Excel and financial systems knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes.
• Resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities.
• Comply with financial policies including SOX 404 key controls.
• Maintain general ledger accounts and financial reports (balance sheets, P&L, capex).
• Develop forecasts and compare forecasts to actual costs.
• Monitor customer credit and collection activity.
• Process hourly payroll and related payroll functions.
• Train accounting associates and assist Plant Controller.
• Prepare and analyze financial records for accuracy and completeness.
• Analyze business operations to forecast revenues and expenses.

Skills

Accounting

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Financial software / general ledger systems

Job description

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers.

Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

People Customers Trust

The Plant Accountant is responsible for organizing and coordinating the general accounting activities for the plant. Ensure day-to-day maintenance of a complete and accurate general ledger, prepare basic financial reports, and analyze and report any variances.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes, including the preparation of estimates and accruals.

Resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities.

Comply with financial policies and procedures including compliance with PCA’s SOX 404 Key Controls.

Engage in general accounting activities including the accurate and complete preparation, maintenance, and reconciliation of general ledger accounts and financial reports, such as balance sheets, profit-loss statements, and capital expenditure reports.

Develop, maintain, and analyze forecasts, then prepare periodic reports that compare forecasts to actual costs.

Follow up on customer accounts including customer credit issuances and collection activity.

Ensure the accurate processing of the hourly payroll and related payroll/employee functions. Ensure all payroll transactions comply with company policies, as well as all state and federal requirements.

Guide, develop, and train accounting associates including assisting the Plant Controller in supervising the day-to-day activities of the accounting associates.

Prepare, examine, and analyze accounting records, financial statements, and other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.

Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree is required with a concentration or major in accounting or finance preferred.

Three (3) years of previous work experience in a business office/accounting department with exposure to general ledger, payroll, and/or accounts payable functions preferred.

Strong working knowledge of computer systems such as Microsoft Office preferably with exceptional knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

Experience with financial systems for invoicing, credit/collections, expense reporting, accounts payable, payroll, and general ledger required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Previous experience in the manufacturing sector, containerboard, and corrugated packaging industry.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Solid understanding and working knowledge of standard financial / accounting procedures, GAAP concepts and principles, and internal control.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle numerous details, deadlines, and requests.

Ability to work in a fast paced, deadline-oriented environment, prioritize assignments, and handle multiple projects and/or requests concurrently.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to handle detail-oriented tasks and review multiple documents and reports.

Above average written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate to multiple audiences and purposes.

The ability to network and build relationships with individuals of various experience and corporate positions.

Strong listening, evaluating, and organizational skills.

Previous work experience as a member of a team, or a strong understanding of the importance of open communication and information sharing between team members.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Starting salary range for position: $78,000-117,000
• Paid Vacation: Three (3) weeks per calendar year. Pro-rata Vacation during the initial year of hire based upon start date within the calendar year.
• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
• Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer