Accounting Manager

Description

 Company Background:

Alta Forest Products is the world's largest producer of wood fence boards, specializing in Western Red Cedar and other premium species found in the Pacific and Inland Northwest forests. In addition to producing fence boards and pallet stock lumber, Alta's zero-wood-waste sawmills produce by-products such as wood chips, sawdust, mulch, and biofuel. Headquartered in centrally located Chehalis, Washington, Alta operates multiple  wood product manufacturing facilities in rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The Role:

Alta is looking for a hands-on Accounting Manager to lead day-to-day accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger accounting across our corporate office and multiple sawmill sites of varying sizes and complexity. Reporting to the Controller, you will directly supervise three AP/AR clerks, work alongside other accountants, and assist the monthly close. This role combines staff leadership with hands-on accounting work and supports the Controller on audit and process improvement.

What You'll Own

• Lead and develop three AP/AR clerks, including hiring, coaching, goal setting, and performance management.
• Coordinate daily accounting priorities and work with other accountants throughout the group to assist when needed.
• Assist in the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including reconciliations.
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations, and approve work within assigned authority.
• Standardize processes and controls across sites with different volumes and levels of complexity.
• Manage 1099 and other year-end filings, assist with quarterly financial reporting, and prepare schedules and support for the annual financial audit.
• Maintain accounting policies and procedures, ensure accounting practices comply with company policies and applicable laws and regulations, and assist process and system improvements within the ERP.
• Serve as the escalation point for mill, vendor, and customer transaction issues; research and resolve problems.

What You Bring — Required qualifications unless identified as preferred or a plus

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressive accounting experience, including at least one year leading or supervising staff.
• Experience supporting a month-end close and supporting an external audit.
• Experience in a multi-site or multi-entity environment preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of accounting, budgeting, and costing analysis, with the ability to analyze financial data and recommend solutions.
• Strong Excel skills and working knowledge of an ERP system.
• Manufacturing, costing, or forest products experience preferred.
• Ability to coach, train, and influence people you don't directly manage.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, work cooperatively, and perform under time demands and pressure.

Why This Role

This is a player-coach role. You'll lead a small team, stay close to the numbers, and have a direct line to the Controller. You'll also help shape how accounting scales across a growing, multi-site operation.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically working in an interior office environment. The employee may seldom lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Work Schedule

This is an exempt salaried position that requires the ability to work 40+ hours a week. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, or holidays to accommodate critical goals and objectives may be necessary.

What We Offer

Small company, big opportunity! Growing and investing in employees and mills, Alta aims to be an industry leader in both product quality and employee experience. Alta Forest Products offers a competitive salary and one of the best benefits packages in the industry.

Starting Annual Salary: $88,000 – $120,000

• Group benefits programs, including medical, dental, and vision plans.

• Short- and long-term disability insurance.

• Life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents.

• Voluntary life insurance.

• Supplemental insurance, including accident, hospital, and critical illness.

• 401(k) matching plan with 4.5% company match and immediate vesting.

• Semi-annual bonus program based on personal and company performance metrics.

• Paid time off.

• Flexible work schedule coordinated with accounting deadlines and team coverage needs.

• Amazing workplace culture.

• Employee Assistance Program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Alta Forest Products is an equal opportunity employer. It considers all applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, disability, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.