What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Accountant position at Insight Recruitment?
Are you a detail-driven accounting professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? We’re looking for an experienced Accounting Manager to oversee financial reporting, cost control, and operational performance tracking at our busy production facility. This is a high-visibility role with scope equivalent to an Assistant Controller, serving as the sole on-site accounting leader and a key business partner to plant leadership. You’ll work cross-functionally with operations, purchasing, materials, HR, and corporate finance, delivering timely, data-driven insights that influence strategic and operational decisions.
In this role, you’ll be the go-to expert for ensuring all production-related costs, sales, and overhead are accurately reported. You’ll also take the lead in standard cost management, variance analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and inventory control—while helping to identify cost-saving opportunities, supporting audits, and contributing to process improvement initiatives. This role is onsite daily in the metro Nashville area, following the plant’s 6:00 AM–3:30 PM schedule, with extended hours during month-end close.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Managing all aspects of plant accounting, including general ledger maintenance, journal entries, and monthly, quarterly, and annual closes.
- Preparing monthly financial statements, KPI reports, and other operational metrics for leadership review.
- Leading standard cost reviews and analyzing direct/indirect costs, labor absorption, and material usage.
- Investigating and explaining variances, including price, usage, labor rate, and efficiency variances.
- Overseeing budgeting and monthly forecasting, including related variance analysis.
- Coding invoices, reconciling accounts, and ensuring AP accuracy and proper coding.
- Monitoring production efficiency, inventory movement, and WIP reconciliation.
- Coordinating and reconciling semi-annual physical inventory counts.
- Ensuring adherence to internal controls and compliance requirements, including SOX controls.
- Overseeing payroll
- Serving as a business partner to plant leadership, participating in cross-functional teams and special projects.
- Supporting both internal and external audits.
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field (required).
- Minimum 3 years of manufacturing accounting experience; 5 years preferred.
- Proven expertise in cost accounting, variance analysis, and manufacturing financial reporting.
- ERP experience required; Oracle preferred.
- Strong understanding of financial and cost accounting principles.
- Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across departments.
- Adaptability to changing priorities and comfort managing urgent requests on short notice.
Why You’ll Love This Role
- A collaborative team environment where your expertise is valued and respected.
- The opportunity to work closely with plant leadership and directly impact operational efficiency and profitability.
- A broad scope of responsibilities that go beyond traditional accounting roles.
- Stability and longevity—ideal for candidates seeking a long-term home.
- Opportunities to participate in a variety of projects, from cost reduction initiatives to operational process improvements.
