Accountant - Manufacturing

Location: Hudson, WI

Job Description Summary

Join our growing team as a manufacturing accountant! The Accountant - Project Billing & GL role is responsible for owning the full project billing lifecycle and supporting general ledger accounting functions at Baer Manufacturing in Hudson, WI. You will spend roughly 75 percent of your time managing our billing, customer portal submissions, and accounts receivable pipeline. The remaining 25 percent will be spent managing balance sheet account reconciliations, fixed assets, and month-end journal entries alongside our Controller.

This role involves frequent, direct engagement with general contractors, internal leadership, and the Manufacturing Controller — requiring strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, people-first approach.

This is a fully on-site position at our Hudson, WI location.

Role & Responsibilities

• Own the full-cycle project billing process from initial contract setup through final retainage collection across commercial and industrial prefabrication contracts.
• Prepare accurate monthly progress billings utilizing AIA G702/G703 formats, schedules of values, and milestone documentation per required daily, weekly, and monthly deadlines.
• Upload, manage, and track billing approvals through customer portals including Textura, GCPay, Coupa, and other general contractor platforms.
• Manage lien waiver workflows by generating and tracking progress waivers, final conditional waivers, and subtier supplier documentation.
• Take personal ownership of accounts receivable aging by conducting direct, professional collection follow-ups with customers and tracking payment commitments.
• Apply customer remittances and electronic payments against open accounts receivable balances while adhering to internal accounting control standards.
• Prepare monthly journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and fixed asset depreciation schedules to support an efficient month-end close.
• Effectively communicate to ensure prompt and responsive resolution of billing discrepancies, customer inquiries, and payment issues with general contractors and internal stakeholders. Escalate complex issues to the Manufacturing Controller as needed.
• Review current billing processes and procedures and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Assist the Manufacturing Controller in executing month-end close and reporting activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline required; or an Associate degree in Accounting with a minimum of 3 years of hands-on accounting and billing experience.
• Prior experience with construction progress billing, AIA formats, retainage calculations, or lien waiver processes strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of general ledger accounting, journal entries, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Exceptional customer service skills exemplifying professionalism in the workplace.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the drive to resolve billing discrepancies directly and professionally with general contractors.
• Strong phone contact handling and active listening skills.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office products, with intermediate to advanced skills in Excel.
• Experience with Viewpoint Spectrum or similar construction ERP platforms preferred.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently, while also being a collaborative partner with the Controller and plant leadership team in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled in multitasking, prioritizing, and managing time effectively to meet billing and close deadlines while adapting to changing priorities.

Physical Requirements

• This position is performed on-site daily at Baer Manufacturing's Hudson, WI location.
• This role regularly uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
• This position requires the ability to lift files and open filing cabinets.
• Employees are frequently required to sit, stand, and occasionally required to bend, kneel, reach, stoop, or crouch.
• This position may occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.