Accounting Director

Job Summary

The Director – Member Accounting is the leader of all accounting functions related to member milk payments and member equity management at California Dairies, Inc.  This position is responsible for managing the data collection, processing and payment for all member milk receipts for the Co-op.  Responsibilities also include monthly milk accounting and milk payment estimates, calculations, decision-making, and reporting regarding CA-FMMO pooling for the Co-op in addition to member equity reconciliation and allocation.  The Director – Member Accounting position reports to the VP & Treasurer.

 Essential Functions   List of significant/essential duties, tasks, and/or responsibilities required of this position.

• Provide leadership to the Manager-Patron Payroll and the patron payroll clerical staff
• Ensure that all milk deliveries from members’ dairy farms are accounted for in an accurate and timely fashion
• Ensure that milk delivery information is communicated back to both CDI and customer plants in an accurate and timely fashion
• Calculate and generate payments to members according to the schedule established by the CA-FMMO Market Administrator
• Provide financial information to, and participate with, Corporate Accounting in order to maintain the monthly financial close process
• Fulfill all mandatory State and Federal reporting requirements
• Serve as the primary point of contact for our field staff as well as our member/owners for questions related to member milk deliveries
• Calculate and communicate pool price estimates
• Manage the process for determining milk to be included in the CA-FMMO pool and milk to be excluded from the pool
• Be the primary point of contact for all member equity record keeping and reporting.
• Calculate and validate annual member income and equity distributions
• Monitor and reconcile all general ledger balances related to member balances due. This includes member payable and equity accounts.

 Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct reports include: Manager – Patron Payroll.

 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.

• Excellent data analysis skills with a focus on problem solving
• In-depth knowledge of the dairy industry
• Strong computer skills, specifically in Excel
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate and work with employees at all levels of the organization as well as CDI member/owners and external stakeholders
• Perform tasks with a high level of confidentiality
• Flexible and positive in a fast-paced and ever changing environment
• Ability to build relationships, manage conflicts and embrace change
• Strong attention to detail
• Managing and measuring work – proven leadership in assigning tasks, monitoring process, progress and results

Education and/or Experience

A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required.  Minimum of five years of experience in a finance or accounting leadership position, preferably in a farmer-owned cooperative. Dairy industry Co-op experience preferred.

• Basic computational skills required.
• 2 years of supervisory experience required.
• Proficient in MS Excel and other MS products is essential.
• Excellent organizational and follow through skills.
• College-level verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate with upper management and member owners on a daily basis.
• Operational knowledge of accounting principles including GAAP and internal controls
• Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems including ledger-sub ledger relational reconciliation

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.

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 other levels of authority within the corporation.

• Must be able to analyze monthly balance variances and obtain explanations, i.e., logical thinking.
• The monthly variance analysis must be done on a timely basis to ensure timely monthly financial reporting.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

None required

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.

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 30 pounds on an occasional basis.

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

Bending/Stooping:  Bends and stoops on an occasional basis.

Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling:  May squat or kneel 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:  Reaches at or above shoulder level on an occasional basis.

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.