Cost Accountant (Finance)

Cost Accountant

Position will remain open until filled. 

Scope of Role
The Cost Accountant is an integral member of the site accounting team, responsible for various costing activities including maintaining labor and overhead rates, cost rollups, inventory valuations, posting inventory transactions (PIT), and inventory reconciliations in the ERP system.  The Cost Accountant is responsible for variance analysis and maintaining accurate general ledger accounts related to inventory and inventory movement.  The Cost Accountant provides meaningful input into various aspects of financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and ad hoc analysis and reporting.  Other duties may also be assigned as needed. 

The ability to work independently under general supervision is important, as is the ability to establish positive working relationships with team members from all departments.  Open communication is essential in this role.  This position reports directly to the Plant Controller.  Many duties of the Cost Accounting role repeat on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.  The Cost Accountant will be encouraged to cross-train on various accounting functions to help grow their career and add additional value to the company.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Standard Costing.
• Variance Analysis, including cost, price, margin, quantity, and transactional.
• Maintain Labor and Overhead rates.
• Gain understanding of ERP system and how it reflects processes on the manufacturing floor.
• Gain understanding of how inventory transactions affect perpetual inventory and general ledger.
• Review/reconcile inventory quantity and value.
• Perform cost roll-ups for new inventory items/Review for accuracy and reasonableness.
• Review and post inventory transactions (PIT).
• Month end closing processes related to inventory movement and valuation.
• Review and reconcile Slow Moving/Obsolete Goods (SMOG).
• GL account reconciliations related to inventory and inventory movements.
• Willingness to interact with team members from all departments--provide info/resolve concerns.
• Support/lead teams focused on gross margin improvement opportunities.
• Visit the manufacturing floor as needed.
• Willingness to cross train on other accounting functions.
• Various ad hoc analysis.
• Other responsibilities as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
• 5+ years inventory and cost accounting experience
• 5+ years enterprise resource planning (ERP) system experience
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.
• Background in costing and public accounting
• Certifications, CMA/CPA a plus.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite with advanced computer skills in Excel.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of inventory valuation and related impacts on financial statements.
• Good communication and analytical skills.
• Able to work in a dynamic environment with changing priorities.
• Able to perform a variety of tasks and work under general supervision.
• Assist work on cross-functional teams to support business operations.
• Team player, and willing to learn new skills and concepts.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Work Environment:

The Cost Accountant works in an office setting within a manufacturing facility. This person is expected to often visit the clean room, controlled environments, warehouse, and inventory areas. This person is also expected to frequently collaborate with department managers to understand costs, complete cost audits, and analyze cost data to recommend process improvements. These various tasks and expectations, especially during month-end close can be fast-paced and intensify increasing the need for occasional overtime. 

Physical Demands:

While working in an office/manufacturing setting, the Cost Accountant is often required to don and doff clean room/controlled environment PPE. This includes, gowns, shoe covers, beard covers, hair nets, safety glasses, gloves, ear covers etc. When stationed in their office, this person frequently sits for extended periods, uses repetitive hand/arm movements when typing/using the keyboard and mouse, occasionally stands and walks as they move about the building and may occasionally lift light items. The overall the physical demand is low to moderate.