Assistant Controller

Brandy Rice with The Forum Group PNW is seeking an Assistant Controller for a well established organization in Lebanon, Oregon. As Assistant Controller, you will play a key leadership role in overseeing manufacturing accounting, financial reporting, cost and project accounting, internal controls, and process improvements. You will partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, Project Management, and executive leadership to deliver financial insights that improve operational performance and support profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, estimates, and management reports.
• Oversee manufacturing and cost accounting activities, including standard costing, inventory valuation, labor and overhead absorption, production variances, scrap, yield, and inventory reserves.
• Manage project accounting throughout the full project lifecycle, including contract setup, budgeting, forecasting, profitability analysis, change orders, and closeout.
• Administer percentage-of-completion revenue recognition in compliance with ASC 606.
• Analyze manufacturing performance metrics, including labor efficiency, material usage, purchase price variances, inventory turns, gross margins, and overall operational performance.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to identify opportunities to improve plant profitability and evaluate capital investments.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and operational analyses to support business planning and informed decision-making.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls while supporting annual external audits.
• Lead ERP optimization, automation, and financial process improvement initiatives.
• Support software implementations and continuous improvement projects across the Finance department.
• Develop, coach, and mentor accounting team members while promoting accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide executive leadership with meaningful financial insights to support strategic planning and business decisions.
• Build strong working relationships across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, Project Management, and Financial Planning and Analysis.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a collaborative and analytical finance leader with extensive manufacturing accounting experience. The successful candidate will be able to interpret complex financial information, communicate findings clearly, and turn data into practical recommendations that support operational and financial performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressive accounting experience, including three or more years supporting manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and ASC 606 revenue-recognition requirements.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing accounting, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and standard costing.
• Experience with project accounting and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition.
• Proficiency with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics AX/Dynamics 365, SAP, Oracle, or comparable platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant designation preferred.
• Certified Management Accountant certification is a plus.
• Experience with Power BI or another business-intelligence platform.
• Experience leading ERP implementations, system optimization, or financial process improvement initiatives.
• Previous experience developing and mentoring accounting professionals.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and operational finance.

Work Schedule and Location

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Lebanon, Oregon, with a Monday-through-Friday schedule. The role is primarily office-based and includes regular collaboration with manufacturing teams, along with occasional time on the production floor to support operational and improvement initiatives.