Senior Accountant / Analyst

Job Description Job Title: Senior Accountant/Analyst Department: Division Finance Location: Kansas City Metro Reports To: Finance Director FLSA Status: Exempt Travel: Approximately 5% — occasional travel to our Chicago-area site, corporate headquarters (Detroit area), and sister sites as needed Job Summary The Senior Accountant/Analyst is responsible for the analytical work supporting the division’s monthly close and margin and mix performance, with a strong ongoing partnership with Sales and AR, and secondary cross-functional support to Operations, Supply Chain, and HR. This role is distinct from a transactional accounting seat: while it includes a defined set of close-period journal entries and reconciliations, the core expectation is independent analysis — tracing data to source, identifying root causes of variances, and delivering clear conclusions they can confidently defend to the Finance Director. The role serves as a regular liaison between Finance and Sales and AR, growing over time into the primary finance point of contact for Sales and Customer Service. The company operates a decentralized structure: individual business units carry significant autonomy and decision-making authority, while corporate provides shared support in controls, systems, consolidated FP&A, pricing, and special projects. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Close-period responsibilities: Perform SG&A and Revenue-related journal entries (approximately 7–10 per month), including prepaids, rebate and discount programs, commission accruals Perform reconciliations, including AR, prepaids, and subledger-to-financials tie-outs Perform top-line and margin analysis, including mix, cost driver, and rebate and discount program analysis, and present findings and conclusions to the Finance Director and Sales leadership Review the top-line and SG&A sections of the P&L during close and provide fluctuation explanations Non-close-period responsibilities: Support sales forecasting and budgeting, and track actual performance against forecast Analyze freight revenue against outbound freight costs Support internal and external audit requests, including gathering and defending supporting documentation Complete special analytical projects as assigned by the Finance Director Partner with cross-functional stakeholders (Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and HR) on ad hoc financial questions Ongoing responsibilities: Maintain a regular working relationship with the Sales team as a trusted finance liaison, growing over time into the primary point of contact for Sales and Customer Service on finance-related questions Partner closely with AR on past-due management, working capital optimization, and customer-level analysis Develop toward ownership of working capital analysis and management over time Support the division's internal controls review, beginning with revenue-to-receivables process controls and expanding into additional process areas over time Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field One of the following: – 3+ years of experience in public accounting (audit strongly preferred over tax), or – 2+ years of experience in public accounting (audit strongly preferred over tax) plus subsequent industry experience, provided the candidate held senior-level engagement scope and ownership during their public accounting tenure regardless of title Demonstrated ability to independently investigate discrepancies, trace root cause, and communicate and defend findings clearly and confidently A track record of using that investigative reflex to bring forward solutions, not just identify problems Applies reasonableness checks and professional skepticism to calculations, accruals, and financial results before submitting work for review Strong Excel skills and comfort working with large, imperfect datasets Preferred: Experience with manufacturing, inventory, or cost-accounting engagements 1&ndash…

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