Accountant, Financial Analyst, Accounting Manager

Accountant

Our client is seeking a detail-oriented Accountant to join their finance department in a role that blends core accounting with essential payroll functions. This is an excellent opportunity for a professional who wants to develop a specialized skill set in both Cost Accounting and payroll administration within an industrial or manufacturing environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to work directly under a Controller who is dedicated to professional development and is eager to provide hands-on mentorship and training to a motivated professional.

In this role, you will be responsible for the day-to-day execution of payroll while ensuring that labor expenses are correctly categorized and allocated to the appropriate projects or production lines. You will play a key part in bridging the gap between human resources data and the general ledger, helping the company maintain accurate tracking of its most significant operational cost: labor.

Main Responsibilities

• Payroll Processing: Administer the end-to-end payroll cycle, including timecard verification, deduction management, and ensuring accurate disbursements to all employees.
• Labor Allocation: Review employee time records to ensure hours are correctly charged to specific jobs, departments, or work orders in accordance with cost accounting standards.
• General Ledger Support: Prepare and post payroll-related journal entries and perform monthly reconciliations for payroll-related balance sheet accounts.
• Cost Analysis Support: Assist in monitoring production costs and variances, helping to identify discrepancies between actual labor spend and budgeted project costs.
• Record Maintenance: Maintain accurate and confidential employee files, tax records, and payroll documentation to ensure a clear audit trail.
• Compliance Reporting: Assist in the preparation of quarterly payroll tax filings, workers' compensation reports, and other regulatory documentation.
• Interdepartmental Coordination: Work closely with department managers to resolve timekeeping issues and provide reports on labor distribution and efficiency.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Experience: 1–3+ years of experience in an accounting or payroll role; specific exposure to a manufacturing environment is highly desirable but not required.
• Cost Accounting Interest: A foundational understanding of cost accounting principles (standard costing, job costing, or labor burden) or a strong desire to learn these methodologies.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables) and experience with ERP or payroll software.
• Attention to Detail: Exceptional accuracy in data entry and the ability to spot inconsistencies in high-volume data sets.
• Communication: Ability to communicate clearly with staff regarding payroll inquiries while maintaining a high level of professional confidentiality.
• Organizational Skills: Proven ability to manage recurring deadlines while handling ad-hoc accounting projects.
• Open to relocation: this client is located approximately 90 miles outside of the Portland metro area (relocation assistance available)

Timing is everything. Whether you are aggressively in a job search or simply passive for the ideal position, we would like to have the chance to share our opportunities with you. We specialize in placement for accounting and finance professionals. Many of our positions are not posted on the internet. Please contact me for more information about this role as well as other opportunities.

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