Description The Accounting & Financial Analyst is responsible for providing accounting and analytical support across multiple areas of the Accounting and Finance department. This role will have a strong focus on cost and inventory accounting while also supporting financial analysis, account reconciliations, month-end close, budgeting and forecasting, and other departmental activities. This position works closely with the cost accounting function to develop a strong understanding of manufacturing costs, inventory, standard costing, and operational performance and will cross-train to provide backup support for key cost accounting responsibilities. PRIMARY DUTIES Cost & Inventory Accounting – Primary Focus • Support cost and inventory accounting activities, including inventory valuation, standard costing, manufacturing variances, overhead, and labor analysis • Assist with analysis of manufacturing performance and investigate significant cost, usage, labor, and overhead variances • Perform inventory-related account reconciliations and assist with inventory reserves and other month-end inventory activities • Support cycle counts and physical inventory processes, including research and reconciliation of inventory differences • Develop a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, inventory flows, and related accounting transactions • Cross-train on key cost accounting responsibilities to provide backup coverage and business continuity • Work with Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and other departments to research and resolve inventory and costing issues • Assist with product, customer, channel, margin, and other operational profitability analysis as needed Financial Analysis, Budgeting & Forecasting • Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial analysis to support the Controller and other business leaders • Analyze actual financial results against budget, forecast, prior periods, and other relevant benchmarks • Assist with identifying and explaining significant financial and operational variances • Support the annual budgeting process and periodic financial forecasts • Gather and organize financial and operational information used in budgets and forecasts • Prepare supporting schedules, trend analyses, and financial models as needed • Assist with scenario analysis and other planning activities • Support development and improvement of financial and operational reporting and key performance indicators • Assist with analysis of margins, rebates and allowances, working capital, and other business performance measures General Accounting & Month-End Close • Prepare assigned balance sheet account reconciliations and maintain appropriate supporting documentation • Prepare journal entries and supporting schedules as part of the monthly close process • Research and resolve reconciling items and accounting discrepancies • Assist with monthly financial reporting and variance analysis • Support internal and external audit requests as needed • Maintain organized and audit-ready documentation • Support compliance with internal controls and company procedures Additional Responsibilities • Assist with international vendor deposits, inventory-in-transit, and related reconciliations • Assist with GRNI and purchasing-related accounting and reconciliations • Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting, controls, and data quality • Assist with departmental process improvements, automation initiatives, and special projects • Communicate effectively with Accounting, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Purchasing, and other departments to research and resolve issues • Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to support changing business and departmental needs Requirements • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field • 3–5 years of accounting, cost accounting, financial analysis, or related experience • Experience with cost and inventory accounting • Understanding of general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end close processes • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills • Strong Microsoft Excel skills and ability to work effectively with large amounts of financial and operational data • ERP experience and understanding of transaction flows within ERP systems • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills • Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines • Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across departments Preferred • Manufacturing or distribution industry experience • Experience with standard costing, manufacturing variance analysis, and inventory valuation • Experience with SAP or similar ERP system • Experience supporting budgeting and forecasting activities • Experience with financial reporting, business intelligence, or data visualization tools • Exposure to rebates and allowances, sales tax, fixed assets, or other general accounting functions