Sr. Cost Accountant in Owensboro KY

COMMENTS: The Senior Cost Accountant will work for Mizkan America, Inc. at the Owensboro, Kentucky sauce plant (Ragu). The plant is a high-speed processing and packaging facility which produces sauces for both the Ragu and Bertolli pasta sauce brands. This position will report to the Plant Controller. This job description reflects assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned

SUMMARY: Responsible for maintaining general ledger accounts and performing other accounting related activities related to the supply chain activities for Mizkan. Prepares necessary information for financial and/or management reporting, tax/audit compliance and other F & A organizational needs. Documents and maintains processes that ensure appropriate internal controls are established.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a business partner to the plant finance and accounting team, bringing an understanding of finance, value creation and business drivers
• Co-partnership of being responsible for month end closing and analysis of plant cost centers
• Analysis of product cost and or financial elements monthly
• Assist in monthly and annual physical inventory
• Support Federal and State reporting functions, compliance and audits
• Research complete accounting and tax issues
• Clean up master data related to production version and routing in SAP
• Backup for production execution for the plant
• Monitor and audit monetary operations in the Owensboro plant and ensure transactions/activities follow the Mizkan F & A policies and external government rules and regulations
• Work closely with the plant finance and operations management to deliver annual budget and costing templates
• Assist in the analysis of business results and General Ledger accounts, recommending actions to maintain controls and deliver business results
• Support all new product costing estimates/calculations
• Perform period-end financial closing responsibilities, including preparing journal entries, performing account reconciliations and resolving reconciling items
• Perform complete analysis of all product cost elements on a monthly basis to ensure accuracy and trend information including annual cost rolls, scrap factor updates, budget forecasting formulation
• Assume back up support for Production Execution in the absence of the Finance Analyst
• Prepare and distribute daily/weekly/monthly reports and other supporting reports for management purposes
• Maintain the book and tax fixed asset records including CIP, additions/disposals, and depreciation expense
• Assists in all accounting related audits and inventory related projects
• Support the federal and state reporting function, including compliance data collection, reporting and audit support
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures to maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP
• Research complex accounting and/or tax issues and recommends proper treatment
• Analyze Capital Project proposals, track progress of approvals, and actual / forecasts spending vs authorized amounts
• Other duties as assigned by Controller

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree and 3-5 years of related accounting experience required
• CPA and/or MBA is a plus
• Experience in SAP accounting system strongly preferred
• Experience in manufacturing
• Experience in practical application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Highly organized, strong attention to detail
• Strong work ethic, high integrity

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong Computer Literacy skills
• Ability to travel as needed
• Willingness and flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and deadlines
• Ability to exhibit a professional business-like appearance and demeanor