Cost Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description: Cost Accountant

Reports To Financial Controller

Position Summary: The Cost Accountant/ Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and controlling product costs, inventory valuation, manufacturing variances, and operational performance. This role supports accurate financial reporting, budgeting, pricing decisions, and profitability analysis by providing timely and reliable cost data. The Cost Accountant/ Financial Analyst works closely with Accounting, Operations, Purchasing, and Production teams to improve efficiency and strengthen internal controls.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Inventory

• Maintain standard costs, BOM’s, labor routings, and overhead rates.
• Analyze raw material, labor, and overhead costs.
• Review and update product costing for new and existing items.
• Monitor inventory transactions and ensure accurate inventory valuation.
• Reconcile inventory subledger to the general ledger.
• Assist with physical inventory counts, cycle counts, and inventory adjustments.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies, scrap, obsolescence, and slow-moving stock.

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare monthly cost reports, margin analysis, and variance reporting.
• Analyze production variances including purchase price, labor efficiency, yield, and overhead absorption.
• Support month-end close activities related to inventory, accruals, and cost entries.
• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and annual standard cost rollups.
• Provide profitability analysis by product, customer, and production line.

Operational Support

• Partner with Operations and Purchasing to identify cost savings opportunities.
• Review manufacturing processes and recommend improvements.
• Support pricing decisions with margin and cost analysis.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and internal controls.
• Assist external auditors with inventory and costing requests.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.

Experience

• 3+ years of accounting or cost accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP systems and inventory management systems. (infinity a Plus)
• Strong understanding of GAAP and inventory accounting principles.

Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, formulas, data analysis).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate financial information to non-financial teams.
• Ability to manage deadlines and multiple priorities.

Preferred Experience

• Food manufacturing, distribution, or consumer packaged goods experience.
• Experience with standard costing and variance analysis.
• Knowledge of Power BI or other reporting tools.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Inventory accuracy %
• Timely month-end close completion
• Variance reporting accuracy
• Gross margin improvements
• Reduction in obsolete inventory
• Standard cost update timeliness

Budget:

($30-$40 per hour depending on experience)