Senior Cost Accountant

Senior Cost Accountant

About the Role
We’re seeking an experienced Senior Cost Accountant to serve as a key finance partner to our manufacturing and operations teams. In this role, you’ll lead cost accounting activities and deliver accurate, timely financial analysis that directly shapes plant and operational decision-making. You’ll own standard costing, inventory and manufacturing variance analysis, month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, and plant expense reporting.

Working closely with the Finance Operations Manager, Controller, and Operations leadership, you’ll evaluate cost drivers, strengthen internal controls, improve forecasting and profitability insights, and lead process improvements that raise reporting quality and speed up the close. This is a highly visible role for someone who combines strong GAAP expertise with sound judgment, enjoys being a trusted resource to cross-functional partners, and can independently manage complex analyses and special projects.

What You’ll Do

• Own day-to-day cost accounting activities supporting manufacturing and operations
• Lead the development, maintenance, and periodic review of standard costs for manufactured products, raw materials, labor, and overhead
• Analyze purchase price, usage, yield, labor, overhead, and other manufacturing variances, and turn findings into actionable recommendations
• Lead assigned month-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, roll forwards, and general ledger analysis
• Ensure inventory and COGS transactions are complete, accurate, properly classified, and supported in accordance with GAAP and company policy
• Coordinate physical inventory counts, including cycle counts and year-end or audit-related counts, and investigate and reconcile count variances
• Partner with Operations to analyze production KPIs, COGS, margins, capacity utilization, productivity, capital investments, and ROI
• Prepare and present plant and operational financial results, highlighting trends, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and outlook processes for plant expenses, manufacturing costs, and operational performance
• Maintain and improve cost accounting models, reporting tools, account structures, and supporting documentation
• Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen controls, improve data quality, and accelerate close and reporting timelines
• Serve as the finance liaison to Operations for fixed assets and capital expenditures, including project tracking, capitalization support, and capex reporting
• Provide schedules, analyses, and explanations for internal and external audits
• Review transactions for compliance with financial policies, procedures, and internal controls, escalating exceptions as appropriate
• Provide guidance and technical support to accounting and operational partners on cost accounting matters
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives and special projects supporting Finance and Operations priorities
• Maintain the confidentiality of financial and operational information

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in cost accounting, manufacturing accounting, or a closely related area
• Proven experience independently managing month-end close, reconciliations, variance analysis, and financial reporting
• Experience partnering with plant or operations leaders and presenting financial insights to non-finance audiences
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, cost accounting principles, inventory accounting, financial controls, and close processes
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Experience with Oracle or a comparable ERP system; manufacturing, inventory, or cost accounting module experience preferred
• Ability to analyze complex data, identify root causes, and communicate clear business implications
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional partners
• High accuracy, attention to detail, and ownership in a deadline-driven environment
• Ability to prioritize independently, exercise sound judgment, and escalate risks appropriately
• A proactive, customer-focused mindset with a track record of leading process improvements and strengthening controls

Preferred

• CPA, CMA, MBA, or active progress toward a certification

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Personnel may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.