Financial Planning & Analysis & Inventory Accounting Analyst
Reports to: Controller
Location: Brookfield, WI
Job Description Summary
The FP&A & Inventory Accounting Analyst is a hybrid finance role that blends hands-on inventory accounting with forward-looking financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and business analysis. It is well suited to an analytically minded professional who is eager to learn, curious about how the business actually operates, and excited to put modern tools to work on real problems to grow their career.
The role plays an important part in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of inventory-related financial information, strengthening inventory processes and controls, and partnering with operational teams to investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies. In equal measure, it supports budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and analysis that help leadership understand business performance and make informed decisions.
FP&A & Inventory Accounting Analyst Responsibilities:
*Inventory Accounting & Controls: Support plant employees and foreman in conducting and auditing physical inventory counts.
- Prepare and review data for inventory valuation and cost of materials analysis.
- Independently analyze, review, and correct transaction-level detail related to inventory, purchases, and cost of materials, digging into the data to identify root causes and support accurate inventory valuation.
- Maintain documentation supporting inventory accounting procedures and internal controls.
- Collaborate with management across the organization to understand and highlight changes in pricing and usage that impact plant level results.
- Prepare and organize reports monthly for the analysis of cost of materials, purchases, and inventory balances.
- Assist with internal and external audit requests related to inventory.
- Adapt to and participate in new processes and systems around inventory tracking and accounting as they develop.
*Financial Planning & Analysis: Support the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasts for the entire organization.
- Analyze actual results against budget, forecast, and prior-year performance for understanding of variances and operational drivers behind results.
- Build and maintain financial models supporting revenue, operating expenses, profitability, and other key financial metrics.
- Provide ad hoc financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions.
- Assist in improving the accuracy, efficiency, and consistency of budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting processes.
- Look for ways to work smarter, using Excel, Power BI, and emerging AI tools to streamline analysis, reporting, and forecasting.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education and/or Experience
A bachelor's degree in accounting is required. Candidate should have 1–2 years of experience in accounting or finance; strong internship or co-op experience will be considered. Exposure to cost accounting is a plus.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business documents in English, and communicate those out effectively.
Computer Skills
Ability to work in different ERP systems to generate reports and metrics. Must have strong Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, financial analysis, and working with large datasets. Experience with Power BI is preferred, along with an openness to using emerging AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot to work faster and sharpen analysis. A curiosity for learning new systems and tools is valued.
Reasoning Ability
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in understanding the “why” behind the numbers. Ability to investigate discrepancies and communicate financial information effectively. Ability to manage competing priorities and meet financial deadlines.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and type. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Measure of Success Accurate and timely inventory reconciliations and accounting.
- Improved inventory accuracy and reduction in unexplained inventory discrepancies.
- Effective execution of physical inventory and cycle-count processes.
- Strong inventory controls and consistent adherence to established processes.
- Accurate and useful budgets, forecasts, and management reporting.
- Strong partnerships between Finance, Operations, and other functional teams.
- Continued improvement and automation of inventory, reporting, and forecasting processes.
- Actionable financial analysis that supports better business decisions.
FCA Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
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