Senior Accountant

Aston Carter; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Sr. Accountant for our Chattanooga, TN manufacturing client to oversee complex accounting functions, financial reporting, cost and inventory accounting, and detailed financial analysis to support strategic decisions.

You will partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, HR and Plant Leadership to monitor performance, analyze costs, support budgeting and forecasting, and drive continuous improvement while mentoring junior staff and ensuring GAAP compliance.

Qualifications

• 58 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Manufacturing, industrial, or production accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Significant experience with cost accounting, inventory accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting audits and financial planning processes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and review complex journal entries and reconciliations.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and adherence to company policies.
• Analyze financial results and explain variances to management.
• Monitor inventory balances and variances in manufacturing settings.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Cost accounting

Inventory accounting

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Job Description

Sr. Accountant

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Pay: $38-50/hr

Job Description

The Sr. Accountant is responsible for overseeing complex accounting functions, financial reporting, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and financial analysis within a manufacturing environment. This role ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial records, supports strategic business decisions through detailed financial analysis, and assists in maintaining effective internal controls. The Sr. Accountant partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Human Resources, and Plant Leadership to monitor manufacturing performance, analyze costs, support budgeting and forecasting processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This position also provides technical accounting expertise and may assist in mentoring junior accounting staff.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and General Accounting

• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and review complex journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and company accounting policies.
• Analyze financial results and explain variances to management.
• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of the general ledger.

Cost Accounting and Manufacturing Analysis

• Manage and maintain standard cost systems and product costing methodologies.
• Analyze labor, material, overhead, and production variances.
• Prepare detailed manufacturing cost reports and operational performance analyses.
• Support management in identifying cost reduction and process improvement opportunities.
• Monitor production performance and manufacturing efficiency metrics.
• Review and validate bill of materials (BOMs), routings, and product cost structures.

Inventory Accounting

• Oversee inventory accounting activities, including inventory valuation and reconciliations.
• Monitor inventory transactions and ensure proper accounting treatment.
• Lead inventory audits, cycle count reviews, and physical inventory processes.
• Analyze inventory reserves, obsolete inventory, scrap, and inventory adjustments.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and collaborate with operations to resolve issues.
• Ensure inventory balances are accurately reflected in financial statements.

Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Planning

• Assist in the preparation of annual operating budgets and periodic forecasts.
• Develop financial models to support planning and decision-making.
• Analyze budget-to-actual performance and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Support capital expenditure planning and project tracking.
• Monitor departmental spending and operational performance metrics.
• Participate in strategic planning initiatives.

Internal Controls and Compliance

• Maintain and strengthen internal accounting controls.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures.
• Support internal and external audit activities.
• Prepare audit schedules, documentation, and responses to auditor inquiries.
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.

Financial Analysis and Business Support

• Provide financial analysis to support operational and strategic initiatives.
• Develop KPI reporting related to manufacturing operations, inventory, and profitability.
• Analyze trends affecting production costs, spending, and profitability.
• Partner with department leaders to improve operational performance.
• Prepare presentations and reports for Sr. management.
• Support decision-making through data-driven financial insights.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Assist with ERP system implementations, upgrades, and enhancements.
• Improve reporting processes and automate accounting functions where appropriate.
• Develop tools and dashboards to improve financial visibility.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives across accounting and manufacturing functions.
• Support system controls and data integrity efforts.

Leadership and Team Support

• Mentor and provide guidance to Staff Accountants and Accounting Clerks.
• Review work prepared by junior accounting team members.
• Assist the Accounting Manager or Controller with departmental initiatives.
• Support training and development efforts within the accounting department.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for accounting and financial processes.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.

Experience

• 58 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Manufacturing, industrial, or production accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Significant experience with cost accounting, inventory accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting audits and financial planning processes.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting requirements.