[Hiring] Senior Accountant, Cost Accounting & Inventory @ACT Lighting Inc

Role Description

The Senior Accountant, Cost Accounting & Inventory supports the Accounting Manager in operating the cost accounting and inventory accounting function for ACT Entertainment's operating entities (Legacy ACT, tvONE, and Ambersphere). The role is responsible for:

• Preparing the monthly inventory and cost-of-sales close
• Maintaining standard cost data
• Analyzing purchase price and manufacturing variances
• Reconciling perpetual inventory to the general ledger across Microsoft Dynamics AX, NetSuite, and Xero

This is a detail-oriented, analytical role for an accountant with a strong public accounting foundation who wants to build deep expertise in cost and inventory accounting in a multi-entity, multi-currency environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Standard Costing & Cost Rolls:
  • Maintain standard cost records for materials, labor, overhead, freight, and duty; process new item costs and cost changes in each ERP.
  • Prepare the data, analysis, and reconciliations supporting the annual and interim cost rolls; test results and document changes.
  • Assist in developing and updating overhead rates and allocation drivers.
• Variance Analysis:
  • Prepare monthly purchase price variance (PPV) analysis by vendor, item, and category; identify root causes and coordinate with Purchasing on resolution.
  • Analyze material usage, labor, overhead, and freight/duty variances; prepare commentary for management review.
  • Prepare monthly gross margin analysis by entity and product line and assist in explaining fluctuations.
• Inventory Accounting:
  • Prepare monthly inventory roll-forwards and reconcile perpetual inventory sub-ledgers to the general ledger for each entity and ERP; research and clear reconciling items.
  • Prepare and maintain inventory reserve calculations (excess & obsolete, slow-moving, LCNRV, shrink) and supporting documentation.
  • Account for goods in transit, landed cost, capitalized variances, and demo/rental inventory.
  • Prepare intercompany inventory transfer entries and the elimination of intercompany profit in inventory.
• Cycle Counts & Physical Inventories:
  • Support cycle count programs and annual physical inventories across U.S. and U.K. locations; reconcile count results, investigate discrepancies, and post adjustments.
  • Analyze count accuracy trends and recommend improvements to warehouse and inventory control teams.
• Month-End Close:
  • Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and flux analysis for inventory and cost-of-sales accounts within the close calendar.
  • Prepare cost and inventory schedules for the monthly reporting package and board and lender reporting.
• Audit, Controls & Process Improvement:
  • Prepare audit schedules and respond to external auditor requests related to inventory and cost of sales.
  • Document procedures and controls for the cost accounting and inventory cycle; recommend and help implement process improvements and automation.
  • Support ERP enhancement projects and data clean-up initiatives related to items, costs, and inventory.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Accounting (Accounting major) from an accredited institution with a strong academic record (e.g., Dean's or President's List); a graduate degree such as an MBA or MSA is preferred.
• 1+ years of post-graduate audit experience with a Big Four or comparable national firm, supplemented by relevant audit, assurance, and financial operations internships.
• Audit experience including financial statement tie-outs under both U.S. GAAP and IFRS; substantive testing of revenue, expenses, PP&E, and cash; and participation in physical inventory counts, including identifying and remediating control deficiencies with the engagement team.
• Solid understanding of general accounting principles and audit workpaper preparation, including roll-forwards, confirmations, investment and board-minute workpapers, and resolution of discrepancies with senior team members.
• Exposure to ERP and accounting systems (e.g., Sage 300, QuickBooks, CaseWare); willingness to learn and work across Microsoft Dynamics AX, NetSuite, and Xero.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with large data sets; experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI a plus.
• High attention to detail, organized, and able to meet close deadlines.
• CPA eligibility with the intent to pursue licensure is encouraged and will be supported by the company.
• IFRS exposure (relevant to the U.K. entity) preferred.
• Prior accounts receivable or financial operations experience (customer billing, cash application, payment processing, daily balance reporting) preferred.
• Experience in a private equity–backed or multi-entity environment preferred.
• Prior industry cost or inventory accounting experience is a plus but not required; training on standard costing, cost rolls, and variance analysis will be provided.
• Must have intellectual curiosity and a desire to understand how costs flow through operations.
• Ability to clearly and concisely communicate with both finance and operations colleagues.
• Must be a self-starter who takes ownership of deliverables and raises issues early.
• Ability to have team orientation and willingness to cross-train and support other areas of Finance.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Frequently required to sit.
• Occasionally required to stand.
• Occasionally required to walk.
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Company Values

• Deliver Legendary Service: It’s all about the experience. With every experience, do the little things, as well as the big things, that surprise people. Make every interaction stand out for its helpfulness. Create the “WOW” factor that turns customers into raving fans.
• Always Demonstrate: An unwavering commitment to doing the right thing in every action you take and in every decision you make, especially when no one’s looking.
• Practice Blameless Problem-Solving: Demonstrate a relentless solution focus, rather than pointing fingers or dwelling on problems.
• Contribute to Profit: We’re in business to deliver value for our customers while making money. We all play a role in building revenue that exceeds our expenses.
• Honor Commitments: Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it.
• Embrace Change and Growth: Get outside your comfort zone, rather than stubbornly hanging on to old ways of doing things.
• Be Positive: Choose to be joyful, optimistic, and enthusiastic.
• Keep Things Fun: Remember that the world has bigger problems than the daily challenges that make up our work.