Accounting and Finance Manager

Air Quality Engineering invites applications for an Accounting and Finance Manager who will lead financial policy, controls, reporting, and analysis to support strategic and operational decisions within an ESOP backed manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver financial insights and guidance to inform strategic choices and day-to-day operations
• Design tools, metrics, and data systems that provide leadership and the Board with actionable financial information
• Analyze trends and assess profitability, cost control, and cash flow performance
• Prepare annual budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial projections
• Review actual results against budget and forecast, providing variance analyses
• Support pricing decisions through cost accounting and financial analysis
• Oversee cash flow management and strategies to optimize returns and minimize risk
• Maintain banking relationships and related reporting
• Lead capital budgeting and expenditure cycles, including evaluating capital requests for ROI, tracking spend against budget, and explaining variances
• Supervise inventory processes and ensure year-end valuation accuracy
• Provide financial data and analysis to support operational efficiency and informed decision making
• Comply with federal, state, and local tax obligations, including payroll taxes, sales and use tax, and multi-state filings
• Oversee audits such as sales tax and workers’ compensation
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, Minnesota Unemployment Insurance, PCI, and HIPAA where applicable
• Act as an ESOP advocate to foster an employee-owned culture
• Ensure ESOP compliance with ERISA and related regulations
• Support accurate ESOP reporting and communications
• Collaborate with the external CPA firm on annual financial reviews and audits, tax return preparation, and tax planning
• Manage reporting and relationships with banks, insurers, and government agencies
• Coordinate with IT service providers to ensure system reliability
• Ensure GAAP-compliant financial statements are prepared accurately
• Maintain timely month-end and year-end close processes
• Prepare and present quarterly financial reports to the Board
• Develop and deliver special reports and analyses as required
• Support compensation calculations including bonus plans and break-even analyses
• Continuously seek improvements to financial reporting and decision-support tools
• Perform additional finance and accounting duties as required
• Chair the safety committee
• Lead the employee engagement committee
• Oversee human resources administration
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance (Required)
• Minimum 7 years of progressive finance or accounting experience, preferably in manufacturing
• Strong cost accounting and inventory management experience
• ESOP or employee-owned company experience is a plus
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities
• High integrity with a strong analytical mindset and hands-on approach

Technologies

• ADP

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

About Us

Air Quality Engineering Inc. is an innovative manufacturer of environmental air cleaning equipment located in the northwestern suburbs of the Twin Cities. For over 50 years, we have provided practical, high-quality solutions while delivering honest answers to our customers. We are a 100% employee-owned company (ESOP). Our employee-owners are committed to designing, manufacturing, and marketing cost-effective, high-quality equipment, and delivering on our promises is a core part of our value proposition.

Position Summary

The Accounting and Finance Manager serves as a key financial leader, balancing strategic and hands-on work to maximize return on assets. The role establishes and maintains financial policies, controls, metrics, and reporting while delivering critical analyses to inform business decisions. It is well suited to a proactive leader who thrives in a collaborative, employee-owned manufacturing environment.

Why Join Us

• 100 percent employee-owned organization (ESOP)
• Stable, values-driven company with a long history
• Significant leadership role with strategic impact
• Collaborative and accountable work culture

Pay

USD 120,000 - 140,000 per year

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Experience

Accounting: 7 years (Required)

Location

Northwestern Suburbs of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, MN area; on-site operations