Entry Level Valuation Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Description:

W.S. Darley & Co. is a leading provider of mission-critical equipment and solutions supporting the U.S. Military and first responders worldwide. Our Iowa Operations division specializes in the design and manufacturing of fuel and water systems for the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as drop-in skid units and CAFS (Compressed Air Foam Systems) for the firefighting industry.

We are seeking a Financial Analyst (Cost Accounting & FP&A) to join our team in Janesville, IA. This role is ideal for a motivated early-career finance professional looking to gain hands-on experience in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, and operational analysis within a defense-focused production environment.

Position Summary

The Financial Analyst will support plant-level cost accounting, operational reporting, and financial analysis activities. Working closely with senior finance leaders and operations teams, this role is responsible for maintaining accurate cost data, assisting with financial reporting routines, and developing foundational capabilities in forecasting, variance analysis, and manufacturing performance metrics.

This is an on-site position located in Janesville, IA.

Requirements:

Cost Accounting & Operations Support

• Assist in maintaining and analyzing standard costs, bills of materials (BOMs), and routing structures
• Support monthly inventory valuation, cost roll-ups, and production variance analysis
• Help monitor and reconcile labor, material, and overhead costs
• Participate in physical inventory counts and cycle count processes

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes for plant operations
• Analyze variances vs. standard costs, budget, and prior periods
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports on KPIs, production efficiency, and cost trends

Reporting & Data Management

• Maintain accurate financial and operational data within ERP systems
• Develop and improve reporting tools, dashboards, and data models
• Support data validation, reconciliation, and continuous improvement efforts

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with operations, engineering, and supply chain teams to understand cost drivers
• Support initiatives to improve cost visibility, margin performance, and operational efficiency
• Learn and apply best practices in manufacturing finance and cost control

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 1–3 years of experience in accounting, finance, or manufacturing environment (internship experience considered)
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables, data analysis)
• Basic understanding of financial statements and cost accounting principles
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication skills with ability to work cross-functionally

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Epicor, SAP, Oracle, or similar)
• Exposure to standard costing, variance analysis, or inventory accounting
• Interest in defense, industrial, or engineered product manufacturing

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in manufacturing cost accounting and plant finance
• Exposure to defense and emergency response product lines
• Mentorship from senior finance and operations leaders
• Opportunities to develop skills in:
• Standard costing methodologies
• Financial forecasting and planning
• Operational performance analysis
• Continuous improvement initiatives

Why W.S. Darley & Co.?

• Stable, growing company supporting U.S. military and first responders
• Collaborative, team-oriented manufacturing environment
• Opportunity to build a strong foundation in operations-focused finance
• Competitive compensation and benefits package

Benefits

• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health & Wellness Reimbursement
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life & Disability
• HSA with Darley contribution
• FSA
• 401K/Roth with match and profit sharing
• Darley paid life insurance

Compensation

55,000 to 65,000 annually

AAP/EEO Statement

Darley is an equal opportunity organization. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law