Staff Accountant

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world.

Our Visalia corporate office serves as the central hub for the CDI enterprise, driving strategic decision-making, innovation, overall business support, and growth across our diverse portfolio of dairy products and brands.

We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

We offer a generous total rewards package that includes:

• Salary Range $66,560 - $79,589
• Family medical/dental/vision
• Generous company contributions to 401k
• Relocation Assistance
• 11 Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement

Job Summary

The Staff Accountant will be working with all CDI locations to support financial decision-making by collecting, analyzing, investigating, and reporting financial data with focus on prepaid assets, various accruals, general ledger support and other needed areas. This role directly supports the Director of Accounting and provides reporting support to management and to the executive leadership team.

Essential Functions

• Execute mid-level general ledger account reconciliations, accurate reporting and data verification.
• Prepare financial reports when requested by senior managers by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing account information and trends.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end closes, including assigned journal entries, balance sheet account reconciliations, accruals and overall maintenance of the general ledger accounts.
• Assist in the annual audit by serving as the point of contact for main accounting areas.
• Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls.
• Analyze current processes and procedures and propose alternatives to improve company efficiency.
• Manage the prepaid and property tax schedules (secured and unsecured) for the company ensuring accurate amortization and payment of any financial obligations.
• Follow all safety and working rules.
• Must have the ability to get along with co-workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment.
• Maintain a positive attitude and contribute towards a quality environment.
• Excellent regular full-time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies, Inc. best interests.
• Perform other ad-hoc assignments as requested by the Director of Accounting and other leaders in the finance and accounting team.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong analytical skills.
• Finance and accounting experience.
• Working knowledge of accounting, including functional understanding of debits and credits.
• Ability to prepare and reconcile journal entries.
• Understanding of accruals/capitalization/amortization processes.
• Excellent organizational and follow through skills.
• College-level verbal and written communication skills, must be able to communicate with upper management on a daily basis.
• Proven ability to meet tight deadlines and consistently complete monthly close tasks on schedule.
• Capable of self-directed learning and knows when to seek help.

Education and/or Experience

• A BS degree in Accounting or Finance from an accredited institution is preferred. Other BS Business degree may be considered in conjunction with appropriate accounting experience.
• Minimum of two years related accounting experience preferred but not required.
• Basic computational skills required.
• Proficient in MS Excel and other MS products is essential. Exposure to Power Query and other Power Platform products is a plus.
• Experience with month-end close and compliance software (e.g. Blackline, FloQast).
• Large ERP system experience preferred (e.g. Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O, SAP, Oracle Fusion, etc.).

Language Skills

English is required as the spoken language. A well-modulated tonal volume is required with excellent diction skills needed. This job requires frequent communication with personnel in other CDI locations, including office personnel and external consultants. The Staff Accountant must be able to communicate effectively and concisely any issues relating to the duties assigned.

Reasoning Ability

Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form. Must have the ability to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.

• The Staff Accountant must be able to analyze monthly variances and obtain explanations for each variance, i.e., logical thinking.
• The monthly variance analysis must be done on a timely basis to ensure timely monthly financial reporting (the Staff Accountant will have to follow up on pending issues to make sure all variances are explained prior to month-end closing).

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. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Sitting/Standing/Walking: Sits frequently to answer calls, complete schedules/reports, fill out paperwork, answer emails, etc.

Lifting/Carrying: May lift boxes weighing 20 pounds on an occasional basis.

Pushing/Pulling: Some pushing or pulling is required on an occasional basis.

Squatting/Kneeling/Bending/Stooping: Squats, kneels bends and stoops on an occasional basis.

Twisting/Turning: Assumes any combination of these positions on an occasional basis.

Climbing/Balancing: May go up and down stairs and/or ladder on an occasional basis.

Reaching: Office personnel may reach overhead to retrieve or replace files or documents on high shelves.

Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. Ability to use calculator and keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Employees will be subject to temperatures associated with an air-cooled room. Proper lifting techniques must be employed at all times.

This job description will be updated if duties and responsibilities change significantly. Job functions are subject to modification based on business necessity.

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.