Senior Staff Accountant

Menk USA•Sterling, IL

About The Position

The Senior Staff Accountant at Menk USA is more than a traditional accounting role, it's a high-visibility opportunity to make a real impact. As a key partner to both Executive and Operations leadership, you'll help connect financial results to what's happening on the floor across our manufacturing facilities. In this role, you'll go beyond the numbers-analyzing trends, uncovering insights, and supporting decisions that drive business performance. Reporting directly to the Controller, you'll serve as a critical link between plant operations and leadership, helping ensure accuracy, visibility, and alignment with our long-term goals.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting required; CPA or MBA preferred.
Financial experience within a manufacturing environment.
5+ years of progressive accounting experience; deep knowledge of US GAAP and complex accounting transactions.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are required (Pivot Tables, Macros, VLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH).
A strong ability to synthesize large datasets into actionable financial summaries and problem-solve independently.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate sensitive or complex financial data to everyone from shop-floor supervisors to executive leadership.
High level of discretion and sensitivity when handling private corporate and payroll data.
Proven ability to manage deadlines and prioritize projects with minimal supervision in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Self-motivated / strong display of initiative.
Active listening and problem-solving skills are crucial.
Ability to work with limited supervision and maintain deadlines.
Detail-oriented with excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Global Shop Solutions and SAP are a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of financial statements and variance reports.
Maintain general ledger integrity, prepare complex journal entries, and perform assigned balance sheet reconciliations in full compliance with US GAAP.
Oversee cut-off procedures and revenue recognition (including deferred and accrued revenue) to ensure all shipments and transactions are recorded in the correct period.
Interpret operating results and provide the Controller and Executive team with clear analysis regarding financial trends and the company's fiscal position.
Assist in the coordination and preparation of the annual operating plan, strategic business reviews, and rolling monthly forecasts.
Support departmental operating budgets and perform deep-dive investigations into budget-to-actual variances.
Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors, preparing all necessary schedules and workpapers for annual audits and tax filings.
Participate in the development and revision of accounting policies, internal controls, and financial system enhancements to drive department efficiency.
Provide financial support for inventory audits and participate in plant-wide inventory activities as required.
Review and approve invoices and purchases orders via the Docuware digital storage system, ensuring correct general ledger account usage, three-way matching, and fixed asset assignments.
Provide backup to Accounts Payable Specialist and Accounts Receivable Administrator.
Be a resource to GE Vernova programs, reconciliations, and financial requirements to teach, train, and assist accounting personnel and ensure deadlines are met.
Support and sustain 5S standards within the workspace and maintain regular interaction with supervisors and plant management to align finance with operations.
Perform other duties as assigned to support operational needs.