Staff Accountant

LED FastStart•Plain Dealing, LA

44d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Accountant is responsible for supporting the day-to-day accounting operations of Plain Dealing Lumber, including general ledger maintenance, journal entries, account reconciliations, and accounts payable and receivable support. This position assists with month-end and year-end close, inventory and production cost accounting, fixed asset tracking, and the preparation of schedules and supporting documentation for internal and external audits. The Staff Accountant works closely with the Controller, operations leadership, and corporate partners to ensure that financial records are accurate, timely, and compliant with GAAP and Sumitomo Forestry reporting requirements. This role is expected to exercise sound judgment, maintain strict confidentiality, meet established reporting deadlines, and contribute to the continuous improvement of accounting processes and internal controls.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
Minimum 2–3 years of progressive accounting experience required.
Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting, journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close required.
Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) required.
Experience working within an ERP or integrated accounting system required.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and working with large data sets.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify discrepancies, research root causes, and resolve issues independently.
Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-financial managers.
High level of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment in handling confidential financial and employee information.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing, sawmill, or other industrial accounting experience strongly preferred.
Experience with inventory, standard costing, or production cost accounting preferred.
CPA licensure or active CPA candidacy a plus.
Experience supporting external audits or corporate parent-company reporting a plus.

Responsibilities

Prepare, review, and post journal entries, including accruals, prepaids, reclassifications, and recurring entries.
Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations; research, document, and resolve variances and reconciling items in a timely manner.
Support month-end and year-end close activities in accordance with the established close calendar and corporate reporting deadlines.
Assist with inventory and cost accounting, including log inventory, work-in-process, finished goods, and production cost tracking.
Process and review accounts payable transactions, including invoice coding, three-way match verification, and vendor statement reconciliation.
Support accounts receivable functions, including customer invoicing, cash application, and collections follow-up.
Maintain fixed asset records, including additions, transfers, disposals, and depreciation schedules.
Prepare supporting schedules, reconciliations, and documentation for internal and external audits.
Assist with sales and use tax filings, property tax renditions, and other regulatory reporting as assigned.
Prepare routine financial reports and variance analysis for the Controller and department managers; explain results to non-financial leaders as needed.
Maintain organized, complete, and audit-ready accounting records and documentation in accordance with Company retention standards.
Partner with operations, purchasing, shipping, and HR to resolve coding, billing, inventory, and payroll-related accounting questions.
Identify and recommend improvements to accounting processes, reporting, and internal controls.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Controller or Finance Director.