Plant Controller

LED FastStart • Plain Dealing, LA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Controller is the operational finance and accounting leader at Plain Dealing Lumber. Reporting to the President, the role manages the Company’s day-to-day accounting function, financial controls, and reporting, ensuring financial records are accurate, complete, and timely and that financial information supports operational and business decisions. The Controller works closely with plant leadership, HR, and the Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. ownership team.

This is a hands-on role in a lean accounting environment. The Controller contributes directly to the close process, reporting, and compliance while managing and developing the accounting team. The position is based primarily in an office at the Plain Dealing, Louisiana facility and is fully on-site, although occasional remote work may be approved case by case under Company policy. Occasional travel may be required for audit, banking, or ownership meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA designation required or actively in progress with a clear completion timeline.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Minimum 2–3 years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or Accounting Manager role with direct supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience managing the full accounting cycle and monthly close process accurately and in accordance with deadlines.
• Solid understanding of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting standards.
• Experience preparing financial statements and management reports for executive and ownership audiences.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret financial data, identify trends and anomalies, and communicate findings clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in accounting software such as QuickBooks, Sage, SAP, Oracle, or similar.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling, reconciliation templates, and data analysis.
• High personal integrity and professional discretion, including the ability to handle sensitive financial and personnel information confidentially.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in sawmill, wood products, paper, or industrial manufacturing accounting.
• Familiarity with lumber cost accounting, log inventory valuation, board foot measurement, and production cost analysis.
• CPA licensure.
• Experience reporting to a parent company or working within a corporate consolidation environment.
• Experience supporting external audits and banking relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full-cycle accounting function, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing support, fixed asset tracking, and bank reconciliations, ensuring transactions are accurately and completely recorded in accordance with GAAP and Company policy.
• Own the monthly financial close, including preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules, and deliver complete, accurate financial statements to the President on schedule.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and management packages for the President and Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. ownership, meeting corporate deadlines, formats, and standards.
• Develop, implement, and monitor internal accounting controls and procedures; identify and address control gaps; and ensure proper segregation of duties within the finance team.
• Manage cash flow and working capital; prepare weekly cash position reports and short-term cash forecasts; oversee accounts payable aging and accounts receivable collections; and manage banking relationships in coordination with the President.
• Coordinate annual budgeting and forecasting with the President and department managers, and prepare monthly budget-to-actual variance reports with explanations and recommended actions.
• Oversee cost accounting for lumber production operations, including standard costs, inventory valuations, analysis of production, log, and conversion costs, lumber recovery, cost reports, and margin analysis for plant leadership.
• Manage tax compliance, including coordination of federal and state income taxes, sales and use taxes, property taxes, and payroll taxes, working with external tax advisors to complete filings and payments accurately and on time.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison for external auditors; prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation, coordinate fieldwork, respond to inquiries, and work toward timely annual audit completion.
• Supervise, develop, and evaluate the Sr. Staff Accountant, Accounting Coordinator, and Purchaser; assign and review work, set performance expectations, coach and provide feedback, and ensure deadlines and quality standards are met.
• Evaluate and maintain accounting systems and reporting tools; identify improvements to close efficiency, reporting accuracy, and process controls; and support system upgrades or transitions as needed.
• Perform other duties assigned by the President or General Manager.

What This Job Offers

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