Cost Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a Cost Accountant to join a manufacturing organization in Minnesota. This role supports financial accuracy across inventory, production costing, and reporting activities, helping the business understand cost drivers and maintain strong controls. The ideal candidate will bring a solid foundation in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee inventory cost records by maintaining accurate item data, product structures, bills of materials, routings, and related master information used for costing and reporting.

• Analyze inventory valuation, production performance, freight expense, material pricing, and manufacturing variances to identify trends and explain cost movements.

• Establish and update standard costs while supporting monthly cost allocations and validating accounting close activities tied to inventory and production.

• Partner with internal teams on new product setup, item changes, and discontinued products to ensure master data remains consistent and reliable across the organization.

• Prepare and reconcile sales and use tax filings on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis in compliance with applicable regulations.

• Support physical inventory counts and cycle count programs by investigating discrepancies, documenting findings, and recommending corrective actions.

• Conduct regular reviews of inventory and costing data to confirm completeness, accuracy, and adherence to internal standards and procedures.

• Visit manufacturing locations periodically to gain insight into production workflows, evaluate cost drivers, and improve costing precision.

• Create and maintain process documentation for inventory controls, item setup, product costing, tax-related activities, and trading partner onboarding support.

• Build strong working relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and customers while resolving issues promptly and maintaining a high standard in all communications.

We offer a full suite of benefits including PTO, Medical, and Dental.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, with 2–4 years of relevant experience in cost accounting or manufacturing accounting.
• Hands-on knowledge of cost accounting principles, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment; exposure to construction materials, stone, glass, or concrete products is helpful.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify issues, and support informed business decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, and comfort working with data in a Windows-based environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present information clearly to small groups and business stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, initiative, and a collaborative approach to working across departments.