Lead Accountant- Inventory and Operations
KARL STORZ North America, Auburn, MA, United States
Job Overview
We are seeking a Senior Accountant as the primary finance and accounting partner for our North American warehouses. This role provides end-to-end ownership of inventory and operations accounting and serves as the key financial liaison between distribution center leadership and the broader finance organization. This is a high-autonomy position designed for a self-driven, ownership-oriented accountant who can operate independently, apply judgment, and partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and Warehouse Leadership—in an environment with no on-site finance supervision. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting skills with a hands-on operational mindset and the ability to clearly explain financial results to non-finance stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Accounting
Own all inventory-related accounting for the warehouse, ensuring accurate valuation, completeness, and proper GAAP treatment.
Review and analyze inventory transactions.
Maintain and assess inventory reserves (excess, obsolete, slow-moving, damaged).
Ensure inventory cut-off accuracy and completeness during month-end close.
Partner with Operations to investigate inventory discrepancies, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions.
Support and participate in physical inventory and cycle counts, including variance analysis and control improvements.
Proactively identify inventory-related risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
General Accounting & Close
Prepare, review, and post journal entries in accordance with company policies and GAAP.
Own and reconcile assigned balance sheet accounts; investigate and resolve reconciling items timely.
Lead inventory-related activities within the monthly close process, meeting deadlines with minimal oversight.
Analyze and explain period-over-period variances to Finance leadership and Operations stakeholders.
Prepare audit-ready documentation to support internal and external audits.
Business Partnership & Site Support
Act as the primary finance contact for warehouse leadership and operations teams.
Provide financial insight and guidance to support operational decisions.
Translate accounting/financial concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-finance partners.
Build strong relationships across Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Corporate Finance.
Improve financial discipline and awareness at the site through partnership and influence.
Controls, Process Improvement & Ownership
Assess and strengthen inventory controls and accounting processes.
Identify process inefficiencies and lead improvements to enhance accuracy, controls, and scalability.
Take full ownership of assigned processes and outcomes from identification through resolution.
Serve as a trusted, dependable financial presence at the site, operating independently with sound judgment.
Additional COGS Responsibilities
Own and analyze non-inventory COGS.
Prepare and review COGS accruals and estimates, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and GAAP compliance.
Analyze and explain purchase price variances (price, volume, and timing drivers).
Ensure appropriate accounting treatment of tariffs and duties in COGS and product cost.
Support the establishment and ongoing assessment of warranty and returns reserves, including assumption validation.
Provide audit-ready support and clear explanations for COGS estimates, reserves, and variances.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field
8+ years of relevant accounting experience with significant inventory exposure
Strong understanding of GAAP, particularly inventory and COGS
Experience owning balance sheet accounts end-to-end
Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis)
Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced, operational environment
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in distribution, manufacturing, logistics, or warehouse-intensive environments
Prior experience as the primary/sole accounting or finance resource at a site
ERP experience (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
Experience supporting physical inventories and audits
CPA or progress toward certification
Work Model
Hybrid – 3 days per week in office
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We are seeking a Senior Accountant as the primary finance and accounting partner for our North American warehouses. This role provides end-to-end ownership of inventory and operations accounting and serves as the key financial liaison between distribution center leadership and the broader finance organization. This is a high-autonomy position designed for a self-driven, ownership-oriented accountant who can operate independently, apply judgment, and partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and Warehouse Leadership—in an environment with no on-site finance supervision. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting skills with a hands-on operational mindset and the ability to clearly explain financial results to non-finance stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Accounting
Own all inventory-related accounting for the warehouse, ensuring accurate valuation, completeness, and proper GAAP treatment.
Review and analyze inventory transactions.
Maintain and assess inventory reserves (excess, obsolete, slow-moving, damaged).
Ensure inventory cut-off accuracy and completeness during month-end close.
Partner with Operations to investigate inventory discrepancies, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions.
Support and participate in physical inventory and cycle counts, including variance analysis and control improvements.
Proactively identify inventory-related risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
General Accounting & Close
Prepare, review, and post journal entries in accordance with company policies and GAAP.
Own and reconcile assigned balance sheet accounts; investigate and resolve reconciling items timely.
Lead inventory-related activities within the monthly close process, meeting deadlines with minimal oversight.
Analyze and explain period-over-period variances to Finance leadership and Operations stakeholders.
Prepare audit-ready documentation to support internal and external audits.
Business Partnership & Site Support
Act as the primary finance contact for warehouse leadership and operations teams.
Provide financial insight and guidance to support operational decisions.
Translate accounting/financial concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-finance partners.
Build strong relationships across Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Corporate Finance.
Improve financial discipline and awareness at the site through partnership and influence.
Controls, Process Improvement & Ownership
Assess and strengthen inventory controls and accounting processes.
Identify process inefficiencies and lead improvements to enhance accuracy, controls, and scalability.
Take full ownership of assigned processes and outcomes from identification through resolution.
Serve as a trusted, dependable financial presence at the site, operating independently with sound judgment.
Additional COGS Responsibilities
Own and analyze non-inventory COGS.
Prepare and review COGS accruals and estimates, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and GAAP compliance.
Analyze and explain purchase price variances (price, volume, and timing drivers).
Ensure appropriate accounting treatment of tariffs and duties in COGS and product cost.
Support the establishment and ongoing assessment of warranty and returns reserves, including assumption validation.
Provide audit-ready support and clear explanations for COGS estimates, reserves, and variances.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field
8+ years of relevant accounting experience with significant inventory exposure
Strong understanding of GAAP, particularly inventory and COGS
Experience owning balance sheet accounts end-to-end
Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis)
Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced, operational environment
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in distribution, manufacturing, logistics, or warehouse-intensive environments
Prior experience as the primary/sole accounting or finance resource at a site
ERP experience (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
Experience supporting physical inventories and audits
CPA or progress toward certification
Work Model
Hybrid – 3 days per week in office
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