Finance Manager
The Opportunity
StaffRight Associates is recruiting for a Finance Manager to join an established aerospace and defense manufacturer in Rockford, IL. This is a full-time, direct-hire, on-site position. Reporting to the President and sitting on the executive leadership team, the Finance Manager will own every financial dimension of the business, protecting its fiscal health while steering long-range planning.
The client is looking for a strategic, analytical, and principled leader who takes initiative and is ready to build the processes, systems, and partnerships that will carry the organization through its next stage of growth. Beyond core finance and accounting, the role also covers human resources generalist duties, working alongside outside HR support on employment matters.
What You'll Do
- Shape the company's financial strategy, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment planning, to deliver durable stability and growth.
- Safeguard the accuracy of financial statements and keep reporting in line with regulatory requirements.
- Assess financial data to spot emerging risks, and put policies in place that protect company assets and strengthen performance.
- Partner with leadership to tie financial targets to broader business goals, offering strategic insight that informs key decisions.
- Oversee all finance and accounting functions, including receivables, payables, inventory, fixed assets, monthly reporting, and payroll, while supervising the Customer Service Specialist.
- Run the month-end close process and deliver financial statements and reporting packages on schedule.
- Build the annual budget, drawing on sales forecast input from the President and the Business Development Manager.
- Produce monthly analyses covering key performance indicators and budget-versus-actual variances, plus ad hoc reports as needed.
- Track and communicate shifts in receivables, cash flow, and overall financial position to senior leadership.
- Supply monthly financial data to the parent company to support consolidated reporting.
- Verify ongoing compliance with bank covenants and report results.
- Spearhead finance and accounting integration for acquired businesses.
- Prepare weekly receivables aging reports covering billings, cash receipts, and collections, coordinating with business development on collections and payment terms.
- Deliver weekly payables aging reports and ensure timely, accurate handling of purchase orders, petty cash, expense reports, cash controls, payroll, and payroll tax compliance.
- Design and maintain controls that confirm the integrity of company systems, processes, and data.
- Serve as the primary contact for external reviews.
- Direct the Administrative Assistant across payroll, health insurance, reception, calibration, incoming inspection, safety audits, and training tasks.
- Administer the FAA and new-hire drug and alcohol testing program.
- Keep the employee handbook current with the latest state and federal legislation, and hold staff meetings to brief employees on policy and employment law changes.
- Conduct benefits orientation for new hires and coordinate staff sessions with benefit providers such as 401(k) and health insurance.
- Submit bi-weekly time reports (hours, vacation, holiday, sick, and unpaid leave) to payroll specialists, along with new hires and wage changes.
- Monitor employee time off, alert supervisors to excessive absences, and track benefit waiting periods and anniversaries, notifying employees and payroll accordingly.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; MBA and/or CPA preferred.
- 4+ years of professional experience in Financial Forecasting, Cash Flow Management, Month-End Close, and Financial Regulations & Compliance.
- Hands-on Manufacturing Cost Accounting experience, including Standard Costing, WIP Accounting, Overhead Absorption, and governance of Physical Inventory and Cycle Counts.
- Strong command of ERP Systems and Sub-Ledger Accounting.
- Excellent Written And Verbal Communication skills, with the ability to persuade decision-makers.
- A results-driven, self-starting approach and comfort working independently.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.
Compensation & Total Rewards
- Salary: $95,000 - $120,000
- Bonus: Performance-based discretionary bonus
- Engagement: Full-time, direct hire; on-site in Rockford, IL
- Benefits: Robust benefits package
Joining StaffRight Associates
When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you're doing more than pursuing a job, you're aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.
