SR FINANCIAL ANALYST at Catalyst Acoustics Holdings – North Aurora, Illinois

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Senior Finance Analyst to join our finance team in a dynamic industrial manufacturing environment. This role is ideal for a professional with finance experience supporting manufacturing operations and who also possesses a strong understanding of accounting principles. The Senior Finance Analyst will serve as a key liaison between business operations and the corporate finance team (accounting, finance, and shared services), taking ownership of forecasting, reporting, and financial process understanding and documentation as well as hands-on collaboration with operation and sales to help drive profitability. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a driven personality, capable of working independently while contributing to cross-functional collaboration. This position offers significant growth potential for individuals looking to advance their career in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Support the Corporate Accounting team with month-end close procedures (e.g., accruals numbers and analysis) and assist in balance sheet and P&L review throughout the close process to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal accounting policies.
• Support internal and external audits with documentation and analysis.
• Assist in month-end and year-end close processes.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Support

• Analyze production costs, inventory valuation, and cost variances.
• Collaborate with operations and supply chain teams to optimize cost efficiency.
• Monitor work-in-progress (WIP), raw materials, and finished goods inventory.
• Perform detailed margin analysis utilizing ERP data and Power BI aggregations.
• Prepare variance analysis and review with finance, operations, engineering, and sales teams to help drive profitable decision-making.

Forecasting & Business Support

• Support the finance function to help prepare monthly reporting and assist in conducting thoughtful analysis of results.
• Lead the preparation of weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reporting packages.
• Provide financial insights and analysis to support strategic decision-making.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a liaison between accounting, finance, sales, and operational teams.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives such as ERP upgrades and process improvements.
• Support business unit leaders with ad hoc financial analysis and reporting.

Team Leadership & Development

• Collaborate with the corporate accounting team and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement across teams within the brand and beyond.
• Share best practices across departments and support knowledge transfer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3-5 years of progressive accounting and/or finance experience.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing or with manufacturing clients during public accounting tenure with a strong underpinning in cost accounting principles for manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, cost accounting, and financial planning.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (currently using Infor VISUAL and CSI/SyteLine), Microsoft 365, and Power BI.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.