Job description
Lactalis North America is currently seeking candidates to join our Accounting team in San Fernando, CA.
Lactalis Group, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do.
If you’re looking for a unique experience with a company that offers strong brands, professional expertise, and a dynamic work environment that champions entrepreneurial spirt, hands-on responsibility and real opportunity for career development, we want to hear from you!
Lactalis North America: inviting you to share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE.
From your PASSION to ours
The Accounting Specialist will be responsible for assisting accounting team on a variety of tasks which will help with the daily functions of the team.
We're looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Accounting Specialist with a primary focus on Accounts Receivable (A/R)/Accounts Payable (A/P) to join our finance Accounting team. This role is crucial for ensuring accurate billing, timely collections, and maintaining clean financial records in alignment with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in A/R, A/P processes, is proficient with SAP, and possesses a solid understanding of GAAP as it applies to receivables, payables, and revenue recognition.
The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing aspects of accounts receivable and payable processes, ensuring accurate financial record-keeping, and supporting overall accounting functions.
From your EXPERTISE to ours
Key responsibilities for this position include:
- Create new Customer, maintain customer Master Data
- Answer Calls and requests from customers (i.e. Invoices)
- Process Corrections to Invoices including entering Credit and Debit Memos
- Payment discrepancies/short payments (i.e. deductions)
- Submit new price changes
- Set up new items
- Generate weekly/monthly reports for sales reps.
- Pulling Invoices for mainstream customer to process payment application (including scanning checks and handing checks for deposit)
- Compiling Invoice for packets for deduction review and process, if it applies.
- Provide support for accounting department in the areas of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and month end close
- Maintain files and documentation thoroughly and accurately, in accordance with company policy and accepted accounting practices, including routine transfer to storage.
- Manage accounts payable and receivable processes, ensuring timely payments and collections.
- Provide support on other projects as needed and accomplish tasks as appropriately assigned or requested
- GAAP Compliance & Financial Integrity - Prepare and analyze financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Generate and send accurate customer invoices in a timely manner.
- Monitor accounts to identify overdue payments and follow up on outstanding balances.
- Apply customer payments and reconcile AR accounts regularly.
- Resolve client billing issues and respond to inquiries professionally.
- Prepare aging reports and support cash flow forecasting.
- Review, verify, and enter vendor invoices into the accounting system.
- Process weekly payments (checks, ACH, wires) and maintain proper documentation.
- Communicate with vendors regarding discrepancies or payment issues.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date vendor records.
- Reconcile vendor statements and assist with month-end closing
- Process and code invoices in a timely and accurate manner
- Reconcile vendor statements and resolve any discrepancies
- Ensure timely and accurate payments to vendors
- Review and process expense reports
- Maintain accurate records of all accounts payable transactions
- Prepare monthly accounts payable reports
- Maintain and protects accounting/finance operations by keeping information confidential.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed
- Contribute to staff training and development by providing feedback and fostering a culture of efficiency and collaboration.
- Identify opportunities to streamline accounting processes and workflows, introducing improvements to enhance productivity and accuracy.
- Be punctual, present, and professional during work hours
- Provide support to our accounting team as needed
- In accordance with our “team” philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description.
- This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Reporting & Reconciliation
- Prepare and update A/R aging reports, cash receipt logs, and revenue tracking.
- Reconcile A/R balances to the general ledger to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes, including revenue recognition, accruals, and account reconciliations.
- Support audits by providing organized and accurate financial records related to accounts receivable.
Operational Accounting Support
- Assist with other accounting tasks as needed, including bank reconciliations, journal entries, and vendor invoice processing.
Along with:
- Accountability: Stand by one’s commitment, deliver the results in a transparent manner.
- Performance: Challenging yourself and others in order to work efficiently and to deliver required business results
- Continuous Improvement: Looking for ways to continuously improve quality, efficiency/effectiveness of the Group performance.
From your STORY to ours
Qualified applicants will contribute the following:
Education
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred
Experience
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in Accounts Receivable/payable, billing, or general accounting roles required
- Working knowledge of GAAP required
- Accounting Dept. Experience required
- Microsoft Excel: 2 years (Preferred)
- SAP experience Required
Specialized Knowledge
- Knowledge of Word and Excel.
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles and practices
- SAP (required due to the essential functions of this role)
- Skilled in Excel for data analysis, reconciliations, and reporting.
- Proficiency in financial report writing and interpretation to convey data clearly.
Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common reports and documents.
- Must be self-motivated, organized and possess strong problem-solving skills.
- Basic math skills (experience using a 10-key)
- A curious self-starter, able to work independently without excessive oversight
- An effective multi-tasker that can set priorities and schedule work activities.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to effectively present information to management.
- Good communication skills.
- Familiarity with personal computers and MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Ability to present, converse and report professionally to Lactalis Leadership.
- Team work, good communication skills to work closely across departments.
- Should possess strong communication and organization skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-changing environment.
- Highly motivated, dynamic, efficient, and fast learning
Job Type: Full-time
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- San Fernando, CA 91340: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
This is an on-site position.
Full-Time
Overtime/weekends
At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.
Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations
Job Type: Full-time
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.00 - $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- GAAP: 3 years (Required)
- Accounting Specialist: 3 years (Required)
- SAP: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
