Accounting Manager (Business Unit, St. Louis MO)

MGP Ingredients is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and food ingredient solutions. Its Distilling Solutions segment provides bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, gins, and vodkas to craft and multinational brands. MGP's own Branded Spirts business is growing following the 2021 acquisition of Luxco, a top spirits producer, bottler, supplier, and importer as well as the 2023 acquisition of Penelope Bourbon, known for its wide range of uniquely blended expressions. Ingredient Solutions delivers nutritional, functional wheat- and pea-based ingredients aligned with consumer trends. The company operates in locations across the Midwestern U.S., and overseas in Northern Ireland and Mexico.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

This Accounting Manager will directly impact and play a key critical role in our Branded Spirits business unit at MGP Ingredients. This person will lead and manage core accounting operations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting. This role oversees month-end close, general ledger integrity, fixed assets, and key accounting processes while providing leadership and oversight to the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions. The Accounting Manager partners cross-functionally to improve processes, strengthen internal controls, and support reliable financial reporting for internal leadership and external stakeholders.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

Financial Close & General Ledger Management

• Lead and oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations
• Maintain integrity and accuracy of the general ledger
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and resolve variances
• Review financial activity generated through AP and AR processes to ensure accuracy and proper period recognition
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all close deliverables

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Support preparation of internal financial reports and reporting packages
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and company accounting policies
• Review financial results for accuracy and completeness prior to distribution
• Maintain documentation supporting financial reporting and audit requirements

Fixed Assets & Capital Accounting

• Oversee accounting for capital projects, including setup, tracking, and closeout
• Maintain fixed asset records, including additions, disposals, and depreciation
• Ensure proper capitalization in accordance with company policy
• Partner with site teams on physical verification and asset validation

Internal Controls, External Audit, & Risk Management

• Maintain and strengthen internal control processes across accounting functions, including AP and AR
• Ensure procure-to-pay and order-to-cash processes operate in compliance with company policies
• Support internal and external audit activities, including preparation of schedules and responses
• Review workpapers and team outputs to ensure adherence to control requirements
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks

Team Leadership & Functional Oversite

• Lead, coach, and develop accounting team members, including Sr. Accountant(s), AP and AR staff
• Provide direction and oversight of day-to-day finance processes
• Monitor invoicing, collections, cash application, and vendor payments through team performance
• Review aging reports and resolve escalated issues or discrepancies
• Ensure team deliverables meet accuracy, timeliness, and service expectations
• Manage workload distribution and support employee development

Process Improvement & Cross-Function Support

• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy
• Support automation and system enhancements (SAP and related tools)
• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance to resolve issues and improve outcomes
• Drive standardization and continuous improvement across accounting processes

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA designation or progress toward CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including general ledger and financial reporting responsibilities
• Experience in a manufacturing or multi-entity environment preferred
• Prior experience leading or supervising accounting staff, including AP and AR functions, strongly preferred
• Experience supporting month-end close, audits, and internal controls compliance required
• Experience working with ERP systems
• Public accounting experience will be strongly preferred
• Technical accounting and U.S. GAAP expertise
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
• Internal control (SOX) compliance experience and expertise
• Ability to lead and develop a team, providing clear direction and accountability
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information clearly
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and drive operational efficiency
• Demonstrates sound judgment, integrity, and professionalism in handling financial data
• Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook, SAP, copier/printer

If the above speaks to you, we’re excited to learn more about you! At MGP, we know that our people are our greatest strength. With different perspectives and unique ways of thinking, our employees are as varied as our products. We believe that inclusivity strengthens the organization and champions a company culture that is evolving to reflect all of us. Culture results from our behaviors, our personal commitment, our curiosity, how we collaborate, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and expect others to do the same. Each of us can make a difference by fostering thinking and actions that empower us to connect, belong and grow together. If you require a reasonable accommodation in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caitlin Zbikowski, Talent Manager @ c.zbikowski@mgpi.com.

Compensation is competitive and is commensurate with experience. MGP offers exceptional medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) Match and PTO.

All successful candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal background check and drug test.