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Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!
THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING:
The General Accounting Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and managing general accounting activities, financial analysis, and decision support to ensure accurate and timely financial results. This role oversees general ledger accounting, month-end close, reporting, and process improvements while ensuring compliance with internal finance policies, SOX requirements, and U.S. GAAP. The position partners closely with business and finance leaders, provides oversight of co-sourced accounting activities, supports audits and strategic initiatives, and drives continuous improvement and data governance practices through technology, automation, and strong financial controls.
- Ensure Accounting Compliance & Internal Controls: Perform accounting activities in accordance with GAAP, SOX 404, and company policies; maintain and update process documentation and controls.
- Manage General Ledger Accounting: Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, calculations, analyses, and supporting documentation for core business entities, joint ventures, and partnerships.
- Lead Month-End Close & Financial Accuracy: Coordinate and oversee month-end close activities, implement error-prevention controls, resolve issues, and ensure accurate and timely financial results.
- Oversee Co-Sourced Accounting Operations: Review and monitor accounting activities performed by IBM, ensuring policy compliance, quality deliverables, timely execution, and effective issue resolution.
- Provide Financial Analysis & Reporting: Prepare and analyze financial reports, SG&A results, account variances, and flux commentary; research and explain financial results to management and business partners.
- Partner with Business Leaders & Stakeholders: Serve as the primary accounting liaison for assigned functions, providing reporting support, budgeting guidance, coding direction, issue resolution, and accounting expertise.
- Support Budgeting, Forecasting & Decision-Making: Assist with SG&A budget development and provide financial insights to support planning and informed business decisions.
- Support Audits, Tax & Financial Reporting Requirements: Respond to audit, tax, regulatory, and financial reporting requests by leveraging a strong understanding of financial statements and underlying transactions.
- Drive Process Improvement & Technology Enablement: Identify and implement process improvements, system enhancements, accounting tools, automation, and AI solutions to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
- Lead Systems, Projects & Master Data Governance: Support acquisitions, system conversions, and software implementations; serve as subject matter expert for accounting systems, SAP processes, and RTR master data governance.
- Collaborate Across Functions & Resolve Complex Issues: Partner with Finance, FP&A, Financial Reporting, and other stakeholders to research transactions, resolve issues, assess accounting impacts, and improve processes.
- Leadership: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.
- Education & Professional Credentials: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Accounting, or related discipline from an accredited college or university and 5+ years related experience; required. 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
- CPA designation preferred.
- Public accounting experience strongly encouraged.
- Accounting & Financial Expertise: Thorough knowledge of accounting and business principles, including U.S. GAAP, internal controls, and financial policies. Strong experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, financial analysis, and reporting.
- Systems & Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of SAP ERP systems preferred. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong decision-making, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities. Solid mathematical aptitude with the ability to interpret and analyze financial data. Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to think creatively and anticipate business impacts.
- Organization & Execution: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Communication & Relationship Management: Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to effectively collaborate across functions and build trusted business relationships. Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and sound business judgment.
OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:
- Teamwork & Leadership Effectiveness: Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment. Committed to fostering a respectful, approachable, and positive workplace culture.
- Travel: Ability to travel up to 10% based on business and project needs.
Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.
Relocation Package Available NoEEO Information
Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related discipline from an accredited college or university
- 5+ years of related experience
- 2+ years of team management, employee development, or project leadership experience
- Knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, and financial policies
- Experience with general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, financial analysis, and reporting
- Strong analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently with minimal supervision
- CPA designation
- Public accounting experience
- Knowledge of SAP ERP systems
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to travel up to 10%
Smithfield Foods Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Smithfield Foods and has not been reviewed or approved by Smithfield Foods.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support stands out as a strong component of the package, with a 401(k) match repeatedly characterized as competitive. This element is portrayed as a meaningful contributor to overall total rewards beyond base pay.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare offerings are described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability, and life coverage. Insurance quality is often positioned as a notable strength relative to other parts of the employment experience.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Compensation is frequently framed as competitive for the industry, particularly for skilled trades and certain salaried roles. Overtime availability is depicted as a major lever that can materially increase take-home pay in many settings.
Smithfield Foods Insights
What We Do
Headquartered in Smithfield, Va. since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. With more than 60,000 jobs globally, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly®" and serve as one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others.
