What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Accountant II position at Kruger Inc.?
Financial Accountant II
Full Time, Salary Exempt
1000 N Black Branch Rd
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Looking to the future since its founding more than a century ago, the Kruger Company (Founded in 1904) is constantly evolving and seeking the best talent for its establishments located across Canada and the United States. In addition to the traditional sectors that have allowed it to carve out an excellent reputation on a global scale, namely pulp and paper and cardboard and packaging, Kruger works in fields as diverse as renewable energy, wines and spirits, domestic and institutional paper products, and recycling. With sustainable development and responsible resource management at the heart of its success, Kruger has several establishments and products certified to the highest standards in the industry.
Kruger Packaging L.P. is a leading North American producer of innovative packaging and containerboard solutions. Its four plants located in Québec and Ontario serve companies of all sizes across North America and the company continues to grow with its first corrugated box plant in the US. The mission of Kruger Packaging L.P. is to develop smarter solutions of outstanding quality. Join a motivated and committed team that prides itself on offering customers exceptional products and services and that has the utmost respect for the principles of sustainable development and a reduced carbon footprint.
Position Summary
The Financial Accountant II is the operational accounting leader at the plant and serves as the second in command to the Controller. This role is responsible for executing and overseeing daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial processes, ensuring accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with company policies and accounting standards.
By owning financial execution, review, and oversight, the Financial Accountant II enables the Controller to focus on strategic partnership with the General Manager, long ‑ term planning, and driving business performance.
This role provides oversight and support for account receivables, account payables, cost accounting, inventory management, purchasing, capital expenditures, and payroll activities performed by other functional roles.
Responsibilities
Financial Close, Reporting & Tax Compliance
ACADEMIC
Full Time, Salary Exempt
1000 N Black Branch Rd
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Looking to the future since its founding more than a century ago, the Kruger Company (Founded in 1904) is constantly evolving and seeking the best talent for its establishments located across Canada and the United States. In addition to the traditional sectors that have allowed it to carve out an excellent reputation on a global scale, namely pulp and paper and cardboard and packaging, Kruger works in fields as diverse as renewable energy, wines and spirits, domestic and institutional paper products, and recycling. With sustainable development and responsible resource management at the heart of its success, Kruger has several establishments and products certified to the highest standards in the industry.
Kruger Packaging L.P. is a leading North American producer of innovative packaging and containerboard solutions. Its four plants located in Québec and Ontario serve companies of all sizes across North America and the company continues to grow with its first corrugated box plant in the US. The mission of Kruger Packaging L.P. is to develop smarter solutions of outstanding quality. Join a motivated and committed team that prides itself on offering customers exceptional products and services and that has the utmost respect for the principles of sustainable development and a reduced carbon footprint.
Position Summary
The Financial Accountant II is the operational accounting leader at the plant and serves as the second in command to the Controller. This role is responsible for executing and overseeing daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial processes, ensuring accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with company policies and accounting standards.
By owning financial execution, review, and oversight, the Financial Accountant II enables the Controller to focus on strategic partnership with the General Manager, long ‑ term planning, and driving business performance.
This role provides oversight and support for account receivables, account payables, cost accounting, inventory management, purchasing, capital expenditures, and payroll activities performed by other functional roles.
Responsibilities
Financial Close, Reporting & Tax Compliance
- Own the month‑end close process, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and review of results.
- Prepare and review financial statements, supporting schedules, and management reporting.
- Coordinate quarter‑end and year‑end close activities and support internal and external audits.
- Prepare, review, and file required Sales & Use Tax returns, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
- Provide oversight and review of cost accounting and inventory activities performed by the Financial Accountant.
- Review standard costs, inventory valuations, and manufacturing variances.
- Validate inventory adjustments, cycle count results, and reserve calculations.
- Support analysis of significant cost or inventory variances and operational drivers.
- Serve as an escalation point for complex costing or inventory issues.
- Coordinate and prepare annual budgets, periodic forecasts, and monthly outlooks.
- Review and challenge volume, cost, and inventory assumptions for reasonableness.
- Track performance against budget and forecast and explain key variances.
- Support the Controller and plant leadership with financial analysis and forward‑looking insights.
- Provide financial oversight and review of capital expenditures managed by the Buyer, Opex Team, and Project Engineers.
- Review capital requests, spending, and reporting for financial accuracy.
- Ensure proper capitalization, depreciation, and accounting treatment of fixed assets.
- Maintain fixed asset records and reconciliations.
- Support audits and post‑project financial reviews.
- Review payroll data and reports provided by Human Resources for accuracy and completeness.
- Ensure payroll expenses are properly recorded and accrued each month.
- Post payroll‑related journal entries and reconcile payroll accounts.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP and FASB, company accounting policies, and internal control requirements.
- Support internal and external audits.
- Act as a financial partner to operations, supply chain, and Human Resources.
- Serve as backup to the Controller as needed.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.
- Perform other duties as directed by the Controller.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing accounting and plant operations.
- Ability to review, interpret, and challenge financial data.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organization and time management skills in a deadline driven environment.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across functions.
- Ability to work independently while supporting a collaborative team environment.
- Strong knowledge & application of financial concepts, standard costing concepts, forecasting, budgeting, and performance reporting - against forecasts and budgets, internal controls, purchasing, and other accounting functions. Understanding of GAAP and FASB.
ACADEMIC
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
- MBA or CPA is a plus.
- 5 to 8 years’ experience in a manufacturing sector – with exposure to cost accounting, general ledger, cash management, balance sheet reconciliation, and complete accounting cycle functions.
- Expert level knowledge of Excel required. General knowledge of JDE and Power BI/SQL a plus.
- Knowledge of the US and Kentucky State laws, taxes, and regulations.