Cost Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Cost Accountant & Commodity Risk Analyst to join a growing manufacturing organization. This unique role combines traditional cost accounting responsibilities with commodity hedging and risk management, providing a critical link between financial performance, operational efficiency, and market risk exposure. The ideal candidate will have experience in manufacturing cost accounting, strong analytical skills, and an interest in commodity markets, inventory management, and financial risk mitigation strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting

• Maintain and analyze product costs, production costs, and customer profitability.
• Track material, labor, and overhead costs at the batch, production run, and order level.
• Analyze manufacturing variances and identify cost trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with operations and production teams to improve cost visibility and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support month-end close activities, including inventory valuation, cost allocations, WIP analysis, and finished goods reconciliations.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools that provide insight into material usage, yield loss, downtime, production efficiencies, and profitability.
• Assist with enhancing cost accounting processes and ERP system integration to improve real-time reporting and decision-making.

Commodity Hedging & Risk Management

• Coordinate and manage futures contracts used to hedge commodity price exposure.
• Monitor commodity markets and identify potential risks and opportunities impacting company margins.
• Support the development and execution of commodity hedging strategies.
• Analyze hedge effectiveness and provide recommendations to optimize risk management activities.
• Reconcile hedge positions, broker statements, and related transactions to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Perform regular reconciliation of physical inventories, customer demand, and open hedge positions.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and industry best practices related to hedging and risk management activities.
• Partner with accounting and finance teams to ensure accurate recording and reporting of hedge transactions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with physical inventory counts and inventory valuation processes.
• Support year-end financial reporting, audits, and compliance requirements.
• Serve as a backup resource for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general accounting functions.
• Participate in process improvement and technology enhancement initiatives.
• Assist with special projects and cross-functional assignments as needed.

BENEFITS OFFERED:

• SALARY RANGE: $75,000-$85,000
• Healthcare Benefits: Medical, Denta, Vision
• Other Insurance: Basic Life AD& D, Voluntary Life and Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan: 401k with a company match
• PTO: 2 weeks PTO and 9 paid holidays

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• CPA or CMA designation is a plus.
• 2+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• 2+ years of experience with commodity hedging, futures trading, risk management, or related financial analysis preferred.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, manufacturing operations, and financial reporting.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics GP, Great Plains, or similar platforms.
• Reporting and data analysis experience preferred.
• Ability to work with large datasets and translate information into actionable insights.

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across departments.
• Comfortable working with both operational teams and executive leadership.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work at the intersection of manufacturing finance, cost accounting, and commodity risk management.
• Exposure to strategic financial decision-making and operational improvement initiatives.
• Collaborative team environment with strong leadership support.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Excellent opportunity for professional growth within a stable and expanding organization.