Accounting Manager

GHJ Search & Staffing is partnering with a well-established, privately held company in the agriculture and organic produce industry to identify a hands-on Accounting Manager for its Bakersfield headquarters.

Reporting directly to the CFO, this individual will oversee a four-person accounting team while remaining actively involved in the day-to-day accounting function. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys being both a leader and a doer and is interested in continuing to grow into broader accounting leadership responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will bring strong accounting fundamentals, a hands-on approach to month-end close and general ledger accounting, and experience within agriculture, produce, food production/distribution, or another inventory-based environment.

• Lead and actively participate in month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and general ledger activity.
• Oversee and support a four-person accounting team across accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Oversee grower accounting, settlements, and related reporting while partnering with operations, sales, and grower relations.
• Prepare and review financial statements, budgets, variance analyses, and management reporting.
• Partner with the CFO on budgeting, cash flow forecasting, financial analysis, and other business initiatives.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable accounting requirements.
• Investigate discrepancies, unusual trends, and accounting issues through resolution.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting, systems, and workflows.
• Utilize technology and automation to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Maintain accurate financial information and reporting within the company's ERP system.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; Accounting preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong hands-on general ledger and month-end close experience.
• Previous experience leading, supervising, or mentoring accounting staff.
• Strong knowledge of accrual accounting and GAAP.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
• Experience working within an ERP/accounting system.
• Agriculture, produce, food production/distribution, or other inventory-based industry experience strongly preferred.
• Grower accounting or grower settlement experience is a plus.
• Famous ERP experience is a plus.