Plant Controller

About the position

Responsible for the internal controls, management, and direction of the day-to-day operation of the accounting systems; provide accounting, planning, tax, and financial reporting services; make decisions concerning accounting treatment of site financial transactions; provide analysis of operations, budgets, and major investments. Act as a consultant to the plant on all financial aspects of the plant operations. Provide site leadership on annual operating plan & budget, month-end and year-end closings, and monthly reporting requirements. Ensure all Capital Appropriation Requests for the plant have appropriate accounting treatment and are well written, financially justified where appropriate and auditable. Responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of all incentives for the plant start-up and required quarterly reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the monthly financial closing.
• Promptly review and resolve all financial issues during close.
• Monitor the status of various accrual accounts for the mill.
• Prepare or review monthly reconciliations of balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare or review the reconciliation of the maintenance sub-system (Tabware) to the General Ledger.
• Provide Operations, the CFO, the Plant Manager, the Sector Controller in Charlotte, North Carolina, and other plant staff with monthly variance analysis.
• Break out raw material variances into base components of volume, mix, usage, and price using the variable variance module.
• Lead the physical inventory process at the mill.
• Monitor plant inventory levels, including wood (stumpage and log yard), finished goods, and spare parts.
• Update product cost standards in Oracle ERP system.
• Establish site accounting policies and procedures.
• Provide ad-hoc analysis during the month on spending, material, and resource variances.
• Assist the Plant Manager with the OP&B and five-year Forecast.
• Coordinate the development of the plant's monthly forecasts.
• Track expenses and inform managers of major expenditures.
• Revise plant financial and operational forecasts monthly in Host Analytics.
• Coordinate the preparation, management, and control of normal budgetary expenses for the plant.
• Meet with department managers at the beginning of the OP&B process.
• Assist with the preparation and analysis of appropriation requests for capital expenditures and major repair projects.
• Review all plant capital project requests and provide an analysis of cost and benefits.
• Lay out monthly capital cash flow using a critical project list.
• Initiate project close-out form, review spending and outstanding POs, and initiate post-project review.
• Report weaknesses to the HEW Controller or CFO and suggest improvements.
• Perform internal audits of plant processes.
• Prepare the year-end audit work papers and interact with internal and/or external auditors.
• Review the tax returns for property, sales & use, etc., at the mill.
• Monitor the status of the 'Invoice on Hold' report weekly.

Requirements

• A four-year degree in Accounting from an accredited university or college.
• 3-5 years experience in cost accounting in a process manufacturing environment.
• Prior Plant Controller experience is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with those without a financial background.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus.
• Profit-sharing payout.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefits package.