Senior Accountant at Midwest Groundcovers LLC – Saint Charles, Illinois

OBJECTIVE / ACCOUNTABILITY

Midwest Groundcovers, LLC is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant to join our accounting team. The focus of this role is to develop and maintain accurate cost accounting processes, and financial and operational reports that provide insight into margins, cost drivers, and business performance. In addition, this position will take the lead in creating and maintaining dashboards, queries, and ad hoc analyses to support executive decision-making.

The Senior Accountant will provide guidance to the Staff Accountant, offer backup coverage, and collaborate on day-to-day accounting activities.

This is a great opportunity for an accountant who enjoys cost accounting, as well as business intelligence, reporting, and executive-level analysis while contributing to the growth and efficiency of the accounting team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, maintain and analyze production costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis.
• Monitor and report on product costs, margins, and cost trends.
• Prepare cost roll-ups and review bills of materials (BOM) for accuracy.
• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards, queries, and ad hoc reports to support operational and executive decision-making.
• Translate raw data into meaningful insights, including cost and margin analysis by product, customer, or business segment.
• Support monthly and yearly close activities related to cost accounting.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of data used in reporting and analysis.
• Collaborate with accounting, production, and sales teams to improve cost tracking and reporting processes.
• Assist, support, and provide backup to the Staff Accountant in areas such as reconciliations, journal entries, and routine financial reporting.
• Proactively identify areas where additional reporting or analysis would benefit the business.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Cost accounting experience required, including variance analysis, cost allocation, inventory accounting.
• Strong proficiency with Power BI, SQL, and advanced Excel.
• Experience creating and running queries to extract and analyze financial/operational data.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate insights clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Self-starter with initiative to anticipate reporting needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively and provide guidance to the accounting staff.

EDUCATION AND / OR EXPERIENCES

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• CPA or CMA strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of accounting experience in a manufacturing, or production-based environment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong cost accounting and financial analysis skills, with the ability to interpret production, inventory, and margin data and translate it into actionable business insights.
• Advanced analytical thinking with the ability to identify trends, variances, and root causes across financial and operational data.
• High level of proficiency in data visualization and reporting, with the ability to design dashboards and reports that support executive and operational decision-making.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy, integrity, and consistency.
• Ability to clearly communicate financial information and insights to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive mindset toward continuous improvement.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating closely with accounting, operations, and leadership teams.
• Experience mentoring, supporting, and providing guidance to accounting staff as needed.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when handling sensitive financial information.

BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance options
• Employer paid life and short term disability insurance
• 401k
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employee discounts

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Proudly ranked as a 2024 + 2025 Top Work Place in several categories, including Woman-Led companies and Cultural Excellence for Professional Development. Midwest Groundcovers has been growing and propagating over 20 million of the finest wholesales plants in the Midwest. Although Groundcovers are our specialty, Midwest Groundcovers’ plant offerings include Evergreens and Broadleaves, Deciduous Shrubs, Perennials, Ornamental Grasses, Vines and Native Prairie, Wetland and Woodland species. We are leaders in the Green Industry in partnering with landscape architects, landscape designers, green roof and plant professionals to create inspiring planting combination solutions. Experts in plants for Midwestern durability and sustainability for over five decades.