Accounting Manager

Smurfit Westrock•Duluth, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The North America Mills Accounting organization is seeking a Manager, Accounting - Mills to lead and oversee a broad portfolio of accounting processes supporting mill operations. The role is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial results across assigned areas, which may include inventory, freight, warehousing, pricing and revenue, fixed assets, maintenance, restructuring, and relevant technical accounting matters. The position maintains strong internal controls and compliance with U.S. GAAP and Company policy. This position manages a team of accounting professionals comprised of 4-5 direct reports and plays a critical role in the monthly close process, financial reporting, audit support, and accounting policy execution. The role requires close collaboration with mill finance, operations, supply chain, commercial, maintenance, engineering, and corporate accounting teams. In addition to core accounting responsibilities, this role serves as a key driver of process standardization, automation, and continuous improvement across mill accounting workflows.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required
5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing or mill environment with exposure to operational, inventory, cost, fixed asset, revenue, or technical accounting.
2+ years of experience managing or supervising an accounting team.
Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and internal control frameworks, including SOX.
Proclivity to explore generative and agentic AI solutions for autonomous transaction support, analysis and reporting initiatives
Experience with ERP systems such as SAP and/or JD Edwards
Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial systems, reconciliations, and reporting tools.
Ability to research accounting issues, exercise sound judgment, and communicate clear conclusions.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across all levels and functions of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to identify process improvements, lead change, and develop accounting talent.

Nice To Haves

CPA or equivalent certification preferred
experience with BlackLine, Alteryx, or BI tools is beneficial

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of accounting professionals responsible for assigned mill accounting processes.
Provide guidance, coaching, and performance management, including training and cross-functional development.
Manage day-to-day accounting operations with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
Partner with senior leadership to communicate financial results, accounting risks, control matters, and improvement opportunities.
Oversee accounting and reporting for a broad portfolio of mill-related activities, which may include: Inventory valuation, reserves, accruals, and period-end cutoff; Freight, warehousing, and other logistics-related costs and accruals; Pricing, revenue, rebates, incentives, and other commercial accounting matters; Fixed assets, capital projects, depreciation, asset retirements, and related controls; Maintenance expenditures and the appropriate classification of capital and expense activity; Restructuring, transformation, and other special business activities; and relevant technical accounting matters affecting mill operations.
Ensure transactions are recorded accurately and consistently in accordance with U.S. GAAP and Company accounting policies.
Analyze account balances and fluctuations to identify risks, trends, unusual items, and required adjustments.
Partner with functional stakeholders to improve source data, accounting accuracy, and operational alignment.
Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities for assigned accounting areas.
Review and approve journal entries, month-end schedules, account reconciliations, and supporting analyses.
Ensure completeness and accuracy of financial results, including proper classification, period-end cutoff, and balance sheet presentation.
Support preparation and review of management reporting, variance analyses, and financial explanations.
Maintain and ensure the effectiveness of internal controls over assigned accounting processes.
Review the performance of key SOX controls and ensure complete, accurate, and timely documentation.
Lead and coordinate responses to internal and external audit requests.
Ensure compliance with Company accounting policies, U.S. GAAP, and applicable control requirements.
Research and evaluate accounting guidance for operational transactions and emerging business matters.
Prepare or review accounting conclusions, supporting documentation, and position papers, as needed.
Partner with Corporate Accounting and other subject matter experts on complex or judgmental accounting matters.
Promote consistent application of accounting policies across mill locations and assigned processes.
Serve as process owner for assigned mill accounting workflows.
Drive standardization of accounting practices, controls, documentation, and reporting across locations.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual activity, enhance data quality, and strengthen control execution.
Lead or support initiatives related to process optimization, organizational changes, integration, and cross functional alignment.
Oversee assigned accounting processes within core financial systems, including SAP, JDE, and BlackLine.
Partner with Finance Technology and IT teams to support system enhancements, implementations, automation, and integration.
Leverage data and analytical tools, including Alteryx and BI platforms, to enhance visibility, controls, and decision-making.
Partner with mill controllers, operations, supply chain, commercial, maintenance, engineering, FP&A, and corporate accounting teams to provide accounting leadership and financial insight.
Support working capital, cost management, capital stewardship, and operational improvement initiatives.
Act as a subject matter expert for assigned mill accounting areas and provide practical guidance to stakeholders.
Build effective cross-functional relationships and translate accounting requirements into clear business actions.