Plant Accountant at Vytron – Neenah, Wisconsin

The Plant Accountant must demonstrate strong commitment, a quality-focused mindset, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. This role serves as an approachable resource for all team members and is responsible for overseeing financial processes for the manufacturing facility. Key responsibilities include cost accounting, inventory control, budgeting, and financial reporting to support profitability. The position analyzes production costs, variances, and operational performance, while managing general ledger activities, AP/AR support, and leading the month-end close process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyze financial statements and interpret the data accurately. This includes the ability to comprehend balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and other financial documents.
• Support development of annual budgets and monthly forecasts, including participation in the AOP and forecast cycles.
• Analyzes raw material, labor, and overhead costs to calculate production costs, identify savings opportunities, and compare performance over time.
• Prepare and maintain processes for physical inventory audits, cycle counts, and inventory reconciliations to ensure accuracy.
• Prepare balance sheets, P&L statements, and journal entries to support an accurate and timely month-end close.
• Investigate and report variances between standard and actual costs.
• Lead month-end close activities, including balance sheet reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, GAAP, and corporate policies; provide financial support for tax, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare accurate reporting for manufactured and purchased finished goods, including new product introductions and cost change/variance analysis.
• Track capital projects and fixed assets, including depreciation.
• Manage follow-up on customer and supplier accounts, including credit memos and collection activity.
• Match AP invoices to packing slips, process payables, prepare check runs, and maintain cash reporting.
• Process AR deposits, apply payments in the system, and update cash reporting.
• Publish weekly and monthly financial KPIs and recommend countermeasures to improve performance.
• Partner with business leaders (especially Sales and Marketing) to drive operational efficiency, continuous improvement, and year-over-year growth initiatives.
• Analyze operational performance, trends, costs, revenues, and obligations to project future results and provide financial guidance.
• Maintain general ledger, including journal entries, invoice coding, account reconciliations, & monthly close.
• Safeguard company data, documents, and assets assigned to the role and maintain strict confidentiality of all company and employee information.
• Serve as the backup for the purchasing function for production and office supplies.
• Prepare and file required federal, state, and local tax forms.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field, with 3+ years of accounting/finance experience, including general ledger responsibilities in a manufacturing (or similar) environment.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, standard accounting practices, and internal controls.
• Proven experience managing month-end closing and preparing financial statements.
• Experience with standard costing, cost controls, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and KPI reporting and analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical skills; Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications

• High accuracy in managing large datasets and completing account reconciliations.
• Strong initiative and ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and deadlines; able to prioritize and multitask effectively.
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability in all responsibilities; follows company policies and procedures.
• Strong communication skills, including active listening, asking appropriate questions, and speaking clearly and respectfully.
• Able to analyze datasets to identify manufacturing trends, inefficiencies, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality; consistently follows scheduled work hours, breaks, and lunch periods.
• Works effectively with individuals of all backgrounds; builds positive working relationships and handles interpersonal conflict professionally.
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal tax requirements and basic tax regulations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to define issues, gather data, draw sound conclusions, and present findings to leadership.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

• Frequent, long periods of sitting at a desk and using a computer, keyboard, and phone.
• Close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus are required for extensive data analysis and review of documents.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, for extended periods.

The work environment described below reflects the conditions an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this role:

• Primarily office-based (approximately 90–95%) in a climate-controlled professional setting.
• Standard office conditions with typical lighting, ventilation, and minimal exposure to dust or noise.
• Occasional time spent in the manufacturing facility for review, inventory observation, and collaboration with plant personnel; may involve exposure to varying temperatures, noise, dust, and moving equipment.
• Work involves extended periods of sitting and frequent use of computers, keyboards, and phones.
• Occasional lifting of materials, files, or inventory items (typically 10–25 pounds).
• Must follow all safety policies, including the required use of PPE (such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toed shoes) when on the plant floor.