Cost Accountant

Therm-x of California is the leading manufacturer for Advanced Temperature and Control Systems for Hi-Technology industries. We have been in business for over 30 years and have a diverse customer base. We offer competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Cost Accountant with hands-on experience in standard costing within Epicor Kinetic ERP. This role is critical to ensure accurate product costing, inventory valuation and variance analysis, across our multi-site and international manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will serve as the financial subject matter expert for cost related modules in Epicor Kinetic, partnering closely with Operations, Production Planning, Supply Chain, Procurement and Parent Company to drive cost efficiency, and financial accuracy.

Responsibilities include:

Standard Cost Management & Maintenance

• Develop, maintain, and update standard costs for raw materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead in Epicor Kinetic.
• Perform annual and periodic standard cost roll-ups and revisions to reflect changes in material pricing, labor rates, and overhead allocation.
• Collaborate with Purchasing to validate material standard costs against vendor quotes and purchase orders.
• Work with Engineering and Production to validate Bills of Materials (BOMs) and routings that drive cost calculations in Epicor Kinetic.
• Monitor and update labor and machine rates within the Epicor Kinetic Resource Groups and Work Centers.

Variance Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze and investigate purchase price variances (PPV), material usage variances, labor efficiency variances, and overhead absorption variances on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Prepare detailed variance reports explaining root causes and trends, and present findings to Finance leadership and Operations management.
• Monitor WIP (Work-In-Process) balances and reconcile job costing transactions within Epicor Kinetic to ensure accurate job close-outs.
• Identify unfavorable cost trends and partner with Operations to implement corrective actions.
• Perform lot-level and job-level cost analysis to support continuous improvement initiatives

Inventory Accounting & Control

• Coordinate and support physical inventory counts and cycle counts; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Review and maintain inventory cost groups, cost methods, and part cost records in Epicor Kinetic.
• Ensure proper accounting for inventory adjustments, scrap, and obsolescence in compliance with IFRS and company’s policy.
• Monitor and review landed cost entries for imported materials.

Month-End & Year-End Close

• Execute all cost accounting month-end close activities, including posting of WIP, inventory adjustments, overhead allocations, and variance transfers to the GL.
• Prepare and post journal entries related to manufacturing costs, inventory, and cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Reconcile inventory sub-ledger to General Ledger on a regular basis and investigate and resolve any discrepancies.
• Prepare cost-related balance sheet reconciliations and ensure timely resolution of open items.
• Support the year-end audit process by providing cost accounting schedules, reconciliations, and analysis to external auditors.

Epicor Kinetic System Administration & Optimization

• Serve as a functional expert and key user for cost-related modules in Epicor Kinetic including Part Costs, Job Costing, Cost Adjustment, Standard Cost Update, and Cost of Sales.
• Configure and maintain cost sets, cost groups, and rollup codes within Epicor Kinetic.
• Collaborate with IT and the Epicor system administrator to troubleshoot system issues and implement configuration improvements related to costing.
• Develop and maintain BAQ (Business Activity Query) reports and dashboards in Epicor Kinetic to support cost monitoring and analysis.
• Participate in Epicor Kinetic upgrades, patches, and testing from a cost accounting perspective.
• Train operations and finance staff on cost-related processes and Epicor Kinetic functionality.

Financial Planning & Analysis Support

• Support the annual budgeting and forecasting process by providing standard cost assumptions, overhead rate calculations, and absorption projections.
• Assist in product profitability analysis by customer, product line, and market segment.
• Provide cost input for new product development and engineering change orders (ECOs) by modeling the cost impact of proposed BOMs and routings.
• Conduct make-vs-buy analysis and support capital expenditure justifications with cost modeling.
• Prepare ad hoc cost analysis and financial modeling as requested by management.
• Compliance & Internal Controls
• Ensure cost accounting policies and procedures are aligned to Parent Company, documented, maintained, and consistently applied.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate cost records and explanations.
• Maintain compliance with IFRS & GAAP inventory and cost accounting standards.
• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen internal controls over inventory and costing.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a closely related field required.
• CPA, CMA, or CPA candidate preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Preferred hands-on experience with Epicor Kinetic standard costing modules.
• Must have strong working knowledge of standard costing methodology, variance analysis, BOM/routing structures, and overhead absorption.
• Experience with month-end close, inventory reconciliation, and COGS reporting in a multi-site/multi-entity manufacturing setting.

Technical Skills

• Epicor Kinetic: Part Cost Maintenance, Cost Adjustment Entry, Standard Cost Update Wizard, Job Costing, WIP Reporting, BAQ/Dashboard development, AP Invoice Entry, Payment Processing (checks/EFT/ACH), Supplier Master Maintenance, Bank Reconciliation module.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills: pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, Power Query, financial modeling.

Knowledge & Competencies

• Strong understanding of IFRS and U.S. GAAP as it relates to inventory valuation and cost of goods sold.
• Ability to translate complex cost data into clear, concise financial narratives for non-finance stakeholders.
• High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and data integrity.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be in a stationary position; move within the facilities, constantly operate computer equipment, inspect surroundings and documentation, communicate with others, and transport office materials up to 20 pounds.