Senior Accountant

CFS; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CFS in Dayton, OH seeks an experienced Assistant Controller to join its manufacturing accounting team. This role focuses on cost accounting, inventory, and fixed assets while supporting month-end close and financial reporting.

The ideal candidate will be hands-on, able to analyze variances, partner with operations, and drive improvements in cost control and reporting across the organization. This is a full-time, on-site position requiring strong GAAP knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance required.
• 3–8 years of progressive accounting/finance experience in manufacturing preferred.
• Strong cost accounting, inventory, and fixed asset knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support month-end close, journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Manage cost accounting activities, including standard costing and variances.
• Maintain and reconcile fixed asset records (additions, depreciation, disposals).
• Perform inventory accounting, cycle counts, and physical inventory analysis.
• Analyze manufacturing costs and production variances to drive cost control.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reports.
• Conduct balance sheet reconciliations and variance research.
• Assist budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis for manufacturing ops.
• Collaborate with Operations, Purchasing, and other departments to improve processes.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and support internal/external audits.
• Contribute to ERP-related projects and process improvements.

Skills

Cost accounting

Fixed assets

Manufacturing accounting

Variance analysis

Excel

GAAP

ERP systems

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller to join their accounting team within a manufacturing environment. This position will play a key role in supporting the month-end close, financial reporting, and day-to-day accounting operations, with a strong focus on cost accounting, inventory, and fixed assets.

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on accounting professional who understands manufacturing operations and can effectively analyze financial results, identify variances, and partner with operational teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform and support month-end and year-end close activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Manage and analyze cost accounting activities, including standard costing, product costing, labor and overhead allocations, and manufacturing variances.
• Maintain and reconcile fixed asset records, including additions, capitalization, depreciation, transfers, and disposals.
• Perform inventory accounting and reconciliation, including analysis of inventory balances, cycle counts, and physical inventory results.
• Analyze manufacturing costs and production variances to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improved cost control.
• Prepare and analyze monthly financial statements and management reports.
• Perform detailed balance sheet reconciliations and research and resolve variances.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis related to manufacturing operations.
• Partner with Operations, Production, Purchasing, and other departments to understand financial results and improve processes.
• Ensure accounting transactions and reporting comply with GAAP and internal controls.
• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing schedules, supporting documentation, and analysis.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting, and financial controls.
• Support accounting system and ERP-related projects, process improvements, and other special projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• 3–8 years of progressive accounting or finance experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong cost accounting and fixed asset accounting experience required.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing accounting, inventory, standard costing, and variance analysis.
• Strong general ledger and month-end close experience.
• Experience working with an ERP/accounting system; manufacturing ERP experience preferred.
• Strong Excel skills with the ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Assistant Controller who enjoys working beyond traditional general ledger responsibilities and has a strong understanding of the financial side of manufacturing. This individual should be comfortable analyzing costs, inventory, fixed assets, and production variances and translating that information into meaningful financial insights for management.

Key areas of expertise:

• Fixed Assets
• Inventory
• Manufacturing Accounting
• General Ledger
• Month-End Close
• Variance Analysis
• Financial Reporting