Finance and Accounting Manager at Children's Factory in Union, MO

Manager, Finance and Accounting

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Children's Factory is seeking a hands-on Manager, Finance and Accounting who can own the numbers, understand what is driving them, and translate financial information into meaningful business insight.

This role combines financial leadership with day-to-day accounting execution. You'll be expected to think strategically, analyze performance, explain variances, and provide recommendations to leadership while also being comfortable stepping into month-end close, reconciliations, journal entries, financial statements, and other accounting activities when needed.

You'll work closely with production, supply chain, operations, and leadership to understand business performance, strengthen financial processes, improve data accuracy, and ensure the organization has timely, reliable financial information to support decision-making.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS:

This role helps connect financial results to what is happening across the business.

You'll provide leadership with accurate financial information and the context behind the numbers: identifying trends, explaining variances, highlighting risks or opportunities, and helping teams understand the financial impact of operational decisions.

You'll also play an important role in strengthening accounting processes, internal controls, and team capabilities while ensuring core financial activities are completed accurately and on time.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Own the preparation, review, and analysis of accurate and timely financial information.
• Interpret financial results, identify trends and variances, and translate findings into actionable insights for leadership.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and ongoing financial analysis.
• Partner with production, supply chain, operations, and leadership to understand business performance and support informed decision-making.
• Establish, maintain, and analyze standard costs, including material, labor, overhead, and inventory costs.
• Support cost accounting and inventory-related financial analysis within a manufacturing environment.
• Lead and actively participate in month-end and year-end close activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, adjustments, and financial statement preparation.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities, stepping in directly when workload or complexity requires additional support.
• Develop and maintain financial models, reports, and analysis using advanced Excel capabilities.
• Prepare ad hoc financial analyses and reports for leadership and department managers.
• Improve accounting processes, streamline workflows, strengthen internal controls, and identify opportunities to improve data accuracy and efficiency.
• Support financial compliance requirements, tax filings, and external audits.
• Prepare audit documentation and help implement audit recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies and financial process improvements.
• Coach and develop finance and accounting team members.
• Set clear performance expectations, hold the team accountable for deliverables, and provide hands-on support during workload surges or complex accounting issues.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy, follow-through, confidentiality, and professionalism while meeting recurring reporting and close deadlines.

ABOUT YOU:

You are a finance and accounting leader who is comfortable moving between detailed accounting work and broader business analysis. You understand the numbers, but you also know how to explain what they mean and how they connect to business performance.

You bring:

• A bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting.
• At least 3 years of managerial or leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial compliance requirements.
• Experience with manufacturing accounting principles.
• Hands-on experience with month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, journal entries, financial statements, and general ledger accounting.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and financial analysis.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, explain variances, and turn financial data into useful business insight.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including experience with formulas, pivot tables, lookups, data analysis, and financial modeling.
• Experience working with ERP systems.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to meet tight reporting and close deadlines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively with operational and leadership teams.
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes, strengthen controls, and increase accuracy or efficiency.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing accounting team members while maintaining accountability for results.

Preferred:

• CPA or CMA certification.
• Broader experience with cost accounting, inventory management, and standard costing in a manufacturing or distribution environment.

WHY JOIN US:

• Be Part of a Dynamic, Supportive Team: We value collaboration and celebrate success together.
• Grow Your Career: We support professional development and offer opportunities to expand your skills.
• Make an Impact: Your work will contribute to making a difference in the lives of children, educators, and parents around the world by supporting the financial health of a company that creates innovative and educational products that inspire learning and creativity.
• Enjoy Competitive Benefits, Including:
  • 12 Paid Holidays: Including Christmas Eve and the Day After Thanksgiving so you can enjoy more time with family.
  • Generous PTO Accrual: Because work-life balance matters.
  • Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families.
  • Volunteer Time Off: Give back to the community while getting paid.
  • Generous 401(k) Company Match: Helping you plan for your future.
  • Educational Assistance: Invest in your career growth with tuition reimbursement.
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month following your date of hire.

WHO WE ARE

At Children's Factory, we create inspired spaces for imagination and learning. For over 40 years, we've been a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-quality products for child development centers, preschools, and elementary education.

Simply put- We provide GROWN UPS with the products and resources KIDS need to inspire imagination, build confidence, and develop lifelong learning skills. We do more than just make great products. We make a positive impact on the lives of the children and educators who use them.

Each and every member of our team plays a pivotal role in helping children all over the world thrive and discover their full potential. We are looking for problem solvers, difference makers, and challenge takers. People who share our passion for education, and who want to make a difference in the world.

Children's Factory is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

Children's Factory is an Excelligence Company. Excelligence is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees, employment applicants and other covered persons without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, religion or creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship status, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws.