Accountant II
Challenge Manufacturing · 3200 Fruit Ridge Ave, Walker, MI 49544
About this role
Who We Are:
Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.
Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!
Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!
Who We Want:
The Accountant II plays a key role in supporting accurate and timely financial reporting and analysis across the organization. This position expands upon foundational accounting responsibilities and begins to lead more complex reconciliations, financial modeling, and tax compliance initiatives. The Accountant II serves as a financial partner to various departments, ensuring integrity in financial data while contributing to process improvements and operational efficiency.
What You’ll Do:
- Prepare and post recurring journal entries with moderate complexity; assist with non-recurring entries as needed
- Support monthly close process by preparing and reviewing account reconciliations and roll-forwards
- Assist with the preparation of monthly financial reporting packages and variance analysis
- Perform intermediate-level analysis comparing actual results to forecast and budget
- Assist with development and tracking of department-level budgets and forecasts
- Review and validate fixed asset additions and disposals; support depreciation schedules
- Support standard cost updates and inventory reconciliations in collaboration with operations
- Participate in physical inventory counts and cycle count reviews
- Assist with quarterly and annual tax filings (including 1099s, Sales/Use Tax, and corporate tax packages)
- Coordinate with external auditors and tax advisors during audits and tax reviews
- Assist with documentation and testing of internal controls and compliance initiatives
- Participate in process improvement initiatives and support system enhancements (ERP updates)
- Provide guidance and training to junior accounting staff
- Liaise with departments (AP, AR, Procurement, Operations) to resolve issues and ensure accuracy
- Compile supporting schedules for leadership, external reporting, or compliance requirements
When and Where:
This will be a M-F position located at our Corporate Office in Walker, MI.
Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.
What You Need to Have:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance
- 2–4 years of progressive accounting experience
- CPA designation or progress toward certification preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office with advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, basic macros)
- Working knowledge of GAAP, financial statements, and tax regulations
- Experience with ERP systems preferred
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently
- Effective communication skills to interact across departments and with external parties
- Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and ownership of tasks
- Team-oriented with a collaborative mindset and willingness to mentor junior staff
- Adaptability to change and a continuous improvement mindset
- Experience with budgeting, forecasting, or cost accounting
- Exposure to inventory or manufacturing environments
- Previous involvement in internal or external audits
What We Offer:
We’re excited to offer a range of awesome benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability options, an Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, a Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off.
Please note, while these benefits are part of what we offer, they may not all apply to this specific role. The details shared in this job description are intended to give you a general idea, but duties and responsibilities may evolve over time, with or without notice. And of course, we’re happy to provide reasonable accommodations to help individuals with disabilities succeed in their role.
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