About This Role
ABIP is assisting with recruiting for a Contract Accountant on behalf of one of our clients that is a specialty contractor that serves pharmaceutical sectors.
Duration:
- Phase 1: 3–5 months
- Phase 2: additional 3–5 months (if Phase 1 is successful)
Overview
This is an on\-site accounting/finance contract opportunity focused on stabilizing and improving the plant’s accounting operations. The plant's operations and output has outgrown the current Director causing limited visibility into financial performance and reporting. Balance sheet control and costing processes require reset and modernization.
The site manufactures and sells drugs (no R\&D). There are approximately 200 different drugs, and costing is critical, with each production line tied to its own costing/project structure.
Key Responsibilities
- Support month\-end and ongoing accounting activities with emphasis on balance sheet accuracy and reconciliation
- Improve financial visibility across the plant (clearer reporting, better tracking of costs and variances)
- Review, reset, and strengthen standard costing processes (standard costing has not been reset in a few years)
- Ensure costing and cost structure are aligned with the operational reality of assembly/packaging/labeling
- Own/improve documentation and workflow for accounting processes to support tighter controls going forward
- Collaborate with site leadership during transition, including:
- Transition support while the current Finance Director remains until interim coverage is established
- Integration with the new Plant General Manager (Brian and finance transitions noted)
Systems / Technical Requirements
- JD Edwards experience is required (hands\-on comfort with the platform)
- Strong understanding of costing concepts and the ability to drive process improvements
- Comfortable identifying gaps and making changes to improve controls and visibility
Soft Skills \& Working Style
- Must be collaborative and professional who can be tough but fair
- Able to work constructively in an environment where processes may be uneven and leadership is looking for stronger accountability
- Communicates clearly with operations and finance partners
What Success Looks Like (Phase 1\)
- Tangible improvement in balance sheet control (fewer discrepancies, better reconciliations, clearer ownership)
- Stronger visibility into cost performance (clearer standard costing support and variance explanation)
- Practical, documented improvements to costing/accounting processes that can carry into Phase 2
Drugs / Data Scope
- Drug manufacturing and sales; no R\&D
- No patient data
- Other state site is where assembly, packaging, and labeling occurs
Industry: Global manufacturing
Work Location: In person