Accountant

Accountant

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Pay: $28-38/hr

Job Description

The Accountant is responsible for supporting the financial operations of a manufacturing facility through accurate financial reporting, cost accounting, inventory analysis, budgeting, account reconciliations, and compliance activities. This position partners with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Human Resources, and Plant Leadership to ensure the integrity of financial records and provide analysis that supports business decision-making.

The Accountant plays a key role in monitoring manufacturing costs, maintaining inventory accuracy, supporting month-end and year-end close activities, and ensuring compliance with company policies and accounting standards.

Key Responsibilities

General Accounting

• Prepare and maintain accurate financial records, journal entries, and account reconciliations.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
• Analyze financial transactions to ensure compliance with accounting policies and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Reconcile balance sheet and income statement accounts.
• Prepare supporting schedules and documentation for audits and financial reviews.
• Assist in maintaining internal controls and accounting procedures.

Cost Accounting

• Monitor and analyze manufacturing costs, labor costs, overhead expenses, and production variances.
• Maintain standard cost systems and support cost roll updates.
• Analyze material, labor, and overhead variances and communicate findings to management.
• Support product costing and profitability analysis.
• Assist operations leadership in identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Prepare reports related to production efficiency and cost performance.

Inventory Accounting

• Monitor inventory transactions and ensure accurate inventory valuation.
• Reconcile inventory balances and investigate discrepancies.
• Participate in cycle counts and physical inventory audits.
• Analyze inventory adjustments, scrap, obsolete inventory, and inventory reserves.
• Work closely with warehouse and production teams to maintain inventory accuracy.
• Support inventory reporting and related financial analyses.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare financial reports, operational analyses, and management presentations.
• Analyze financial performance and identify trends impacting business results.
• Assist with forecasting and budgeting processes.
• Develop reports detailing manufacturing performance, profitability, and cost drivers.
• Support key business decisions through financial analysis and recommendations.
• Monitor capital expenditures and project spending.

Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable Support

• Review vendor invoices for accuracy and proper coding.
• Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable activities as needed.
• Support payment processing and customer account reconciliations.
• Investigate invoice discrepancies and resolve issues with vendors and customers.
• Ensure timely processing of financial transactions.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Assist in preparing annual budgets and periodic forecasts.
• Monitor actual spending against budgeted amounts.
• Analyze budget variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Support departmental leaders with financial planning activities.
• Prepare reports and analysis related to operational and financial performance.

Compliance and Audit Support

• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and financial procedures.
• Support internal and external audit activities.
• Assist with tax filings, regulatory reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain documentation required for audits and financial reviews.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen financial controls and processes.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Utilize ERP and accounting systems to maintain accurate financial data.
• Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and process improvement initiatives.
• Develop and enhance reporting tools and financial dashboards.
• Support continuous improvement efforts that increase efficiency and accuracy within the accounting function.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.

Experience

• 25 years of accounting experience preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or production environment preferred.
• Experience with inventory accounting and cost accounting strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of cost accounting and manufacturing financial processes.
• Experience with inventory accounting and reconciliation procedures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Experience with ERP systems and accounting software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or progress toward certification.
• Experience with standard costing and variance analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, JD Edwards, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• Experience supporting audits and regulatory compliance requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally move throughout office, warehouse, and production areas.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with regular interaction on the manufacturing floor.
• Frequent collaboration with Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Leadership teams.
• May require occasional overtime during month-end close, audits, budgeting cycles, or year-end reporting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chattanooga, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28-38/hr

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chattanooga, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $140000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

- Yearly bonuses depending on production and company performance - Total Rewards Package - Growth Opportunities - Competitive Pay -Flexible Work Schedule

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chattanooga, TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chattanooga,TN.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.