Finance and Accounting Manager

Children • Union, MO

20h

About The Position

Children's Factory is seeking a hands-on Manager, Finance and Accounting to lead financial analysis and day-to-day accounting execution. The role owns accurate, timely financial information and translates financial results into useful business insight by identifying trends, explaining variances, highlighting risks and opportunities, and making recommendations to leadership.

The manager partners with production, supply chain, operations, and leadership to understand business performance, support decision-making, and strengthen financial processes, internal controls, and data accuracy. The position leads budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, standard costing, and financial analysis, while also participating directly in accounting activities such as close, reconciliations, journal entries, financial statements, and general ledger work. It oversees accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities, and provides hands-on support when needed.

The role also supports compliance, tax filings, and external audits; prepares audit documentation; improves workflows and processes; and coaches and develops finance and accounting team members. Children's Factory makes products for child development centers, preschools, and elementary education, and describes its work as contributing to children's learning and creativity.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting.
• At least 3 years of managerial or leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial compliance requirements.
• Experience with manufacturing accounting principles.
• Hands-on experience with month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, journal entries, financial statements, and general ledger accounting.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and financial analysis.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to identify trends, explain variances, and turn financial data into useful business insight.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, lookups, data analysis, and financial modeling.
• Experience working with ERP systems.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet tight reporting and close deadlines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively with operational and leadership teams.
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes, strengthen controls, and increase accuracy or efficiency.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing accounting team members while maintaining accountability for results.

Nice To Haves

• CPA or CMA certification.
• Broader experience with cost accounting, inventory management, and standard costing in a manufacturing or distribution environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the preparation, review, and analysis of accurate and timely financial information.
• Interpret financial results, identify trends and variances, and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and ongoing financial analysis.
• Partner with production, supply chain, operations, and leadership to understand business performance and support informed decisions.
• Establish, maintain, and analyze standard costs, including material, labor, overhead, and inventory costs.
• Support cost accounting and inventory-related financial analysis in a manufacturing environment.
• Lead and participate in month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, account reconciliations, adjustments, and financial statement preparation.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities, providing direct support when needed.
• Develop and maintain financial models, reports, and analyses using advanced Excel capabilities.
• Prepare ad hoc financial analyses and reports for leadership and department managers.
• Improve accounting processes, streamline workflows, strengthen internal controls, and improve data accuracy and efficiency.
• Support financial compliance requirements, tax filings, and external audits.
• Prepare audit documentation and help implement audit recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies and financial process improvements.
• Coach and develop finance and accounting team members; set expectations, maintain accountability, and provide hands-on support during workload surges or complex issues.
• Maintain accuracy, follow-through, confidentiality, and professionalism while meeting recurring reporting and close deadlines.

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays, including Christmas Eve and the Day After Thanksgiving.
• Generous PTO accrual.
• Paid parental leave.
• Volunteer time off.
• Generous 401(k) company match.
• Educational assistance and tuition reimbursement.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month following the date of hire.
• Professional development support and opportunities to expand skills.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager