Financial Accountant

Company Background

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Ireland's dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. Founded in 1961, the Ornua Co-operative has become Ireland's largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, it has annualized sales of over $4.3 billion and a global team of 2,900 employees. Ornua operates from 10 global business units, including 13 production facilities located worldwide.

The Ornua family is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua's consumer brands including Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrims Choice, Forto and BEO. Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers around the world.

Ornua Ingredients North America is the largest of the four global Ornua Ingredients organizations worldwide, with USA-based processing and innovation that services customers across the western hemisphere.

Ornua's Values

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviors, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together.

Ornua's Growth

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by our ambitious 'Path to Prosper' strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business, and we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years.

WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE

The Financial Accountant plays a key role in supporting the financial integrity and reporting requirements of Ornua Ingredients North America. This position is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting the month-end close process, preparing account reconciliations and assisting with financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting activities.

Working closely with the Financial Controller, Shared Services teams and operational stakeholders, the Financial Accountant helps ensure timely and accurate financial reporting while supporting compliance with company policies and maintaining strong internal controls.

In addition to core financial accounting responsibilities, this role provides support to Operations Finance by assisting with inventory-related accounting activities, including work order closings and inventory reconciliations, ensuring manufacturing transactions are accurately reflected within the general ledger.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Support the monthly, quarterly and annual financial close process
• Prepare and post journal entries, accruals and account adjustments
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate variances
• Support preparation of monthly financial statements and management reporting packages
• Assist in the preparation and review of trial balances and supporting schedules
• Analyze financial results and investigate fluctuations from budget, forecast and prior periods
• Support internal and Group reporting requirements including Capital Expenditures, Fixed Assets, Manufacturing costs and Inventory as needed
• Assist with annual budgeting, quarterly forecasts and monthly flash reporting processes
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, procedures and internal controls

General Ledger & Compliance

• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of general ledger accounts
• Support internal and external audit requests by preparing schedules and supporting documentation
• Assist with tax-related reporting requests and governmental financial reporting requirements
• Maintain accounting documentation and process narratives
• Support implementation and enhancement of accounting processes and controls

Inventory Accounting Support

• Assist Operations Finance with daily work order closings to ensure manufacturing transactions are accurately recorded
• Support reconciliation of inventory subledgers to the general ledger
• Investigate inventory-related accounting variances and assist with resolution efforts
• Assist with month-end inventory reporting, account reconciliations and 3PL inventory reconciliations
• Support physical inventory counts and audit activities as required
• Collaborate with Operations Finance and manufacturing teams to ensure accurate financial reporting of inventory transactions

Systems & Process Improvement

• Support ERP system maintenance, testing and process improvements
• Assist with data validation and master data accuracy as it relates to financial reporting
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting efficiency and internal controls
• Participate in special projects and ad hoc financial analyses as required

Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field required
• CPA or CMA preferred but not required
• 3-5+ years of accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment
• Experience supporting month-end close and financial reporting activities
• Exposure to inventory accounting and manufacturing transactions preferred
• Experience with ERP systems required; Microsoft Dynamics SL experience preferred

Technical Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required
• Experience with Power BI or other reporting tools is a plus
• Strong understanding of:
• General Ledger Accounting
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Account Reconciliations
• Accrual Accounting
• Budgeting and Forecasting Support
• Internal Controls

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple departments and locations
• Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
• Dependable and responsive to internal and external stakeholders