Job Description
Job DescriptionSUMMARY
The Financial Analyst is a key member of the finance team, responsible for supporting month-end close activities, inventory valuation, cost analysis, and financial reporting for grain and flour operations. This role provides detailed financial analysis across manufacturing expenses, freight, demurrage, inventory, and product margins, while ensuring accuracy of financial data and compliance with accounting standards. The Financial Analyst partners closely with plant management, operations, and finance leadership to support decision-making, forecasting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Month-End Close & Accounting Support
- Support month-end close activities, including accruals and journal entries.
- Assist with inventory reconciliations and balance sheet reviews.
- Ensure financial data is accurate, complete, and timely.
Financial Analysis & Forecasting
- Prepare inventory and operational reports to support business decisions.
- Analyze production, delivery, and cost data to identify trends and risks.
- Support margin analysis and forecasting activities related to operations and logistics.
- Assist with inventory valuation and related financial analysis.
Reconciliations & Variance Analysis
- Reconcile balance sheet accounts related to inventory and operating costs.
- Analyze variances and investigate drivers impacting financial performance.
- Support cost and inventory analysis for internal and external reporting needs.
Reporting & Business Support
- Prepare and distribute monthly financial summaries for operational leadership.
- Provide ad hoc reporting and analysis to support management requests.
- Assist with audit requests and financial documentation.
Budgeting & Cost Management
- Support budgeting and forecasting activities.
- Perform cost analysis and support product‑related financial inquiries.
- Assist with ongoing cost management and efficiency initiatives.
Continuous Improvement, Standardization & Data Integrity
- Support reporting tools and data analytics initiatives.
- Review financial data for accuracy and consistency.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting, and insights.
Adhere to Bay State Milling’s policies and procedures regarding financial reporting and compliance.
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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- S. in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or Economics.
- 2+ years of accounting or finance experience, preferably in an agricultural processing or manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of debits and credits, journal entries, and balance sheet reconciliations.
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Power BI.
- Experience with Microsoft AX or other ERP systems is a plus.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and communicate financial concerns.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in financial data analysis.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills to collaborate across departments.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS· Ability to build trust-based relationships and demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills.· High standards of accuracy, organization, and precision in financial reporting.· Strong ethical standards and integrity in handling financial data.· Ability to adapt to changing business needs and support continuous improvement initiatives.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English fluency is essential. Must have strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to respond to either common and sensitive inquiries or complaints from internal and external customers. High attention to detail and a keen eye for esthetics.
MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTER SKILLS
Competency in Spreadsheet and Word Processing software required (Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint windows applications preferred). The ability to adopt emerging technology resources is a plus. The ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations is essential.
REASONING ABILITY
Must possess acumen and judgment in business situations, with ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to sit or stand. The Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The 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 the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally exposed to a nonmanufacturing, office type environment and minimal exposure to noise, dust, and industrial type machinery.