Senior Cost Accounting Analyst

Job Description

Why is This a Great Opportunity?

This is a high-impact opportunity for a cost accounting professional who wants to work closely with manufacturing and engineering teams in a complex, large-scale production environment. The role provides visibility across key cost drivers including raw materials, energy, capital expenditures, and productivity initiatives, allowing you to directly influence operational and financial performance.

You will gain hands-on experience within an SAP-driven manufacturing environment while partnering with business leaders on budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization efforts. This position is well suited for someone who enjoys combining detailed cost analysis with strategic business insights in a fast-paced, industrial setting.

Job Description:

The Senior Cost Accounting Analyst is responsible for supporting manufacturing cost accounting activities, financial close processes, reporting, and analysis for a large-scale production site. This role ensures accurate cost tracking, compliance with accounting standards, and provides financial insights that support decision-making and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities, including preparation of journal entries and execution of close procedures
• Prepare and review account reconciliations, investigate variances, and ensure accuracy of financial results
• Support inventory accounting, including physical inventory observations and reconciliation activities
• Analyze manufacturing costs, including raw materials, energy, labor, and overhead expenses
• Review and maintain fixed asset records, including capitalization and depreciation tracking
• Prepare management reports and provide financial analysis to support business decisions
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting processes, including site-level estimates and variance analysis
• Maintain standard costing structures and support annual cost-setting processes
• Partner with operations and engineering teams to identify cost savings and productivity improvement opportunities
• Track and analyze capital expenditures and working capital performance
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, internal policies, and SOX/internal control requirements
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and responding to audit requests
• Identify and help implement process improvements to enhance cost accounting efficiency and accuracy
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to communicate financial results and insights to non-financial stakeholders

Qualifications:

Education & Experience
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• Minimum of 5 years of cost accounting or manufacturing accounting experience
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment required
• CMA or CPA certification preferred
• Experience with large-scale industrial or chemical manufacturing environments is a plus

Technical Skills
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting principles
• Experience with ERP systems required; SAP experience strongly preferred
• Strong proficiency in cost accounting principles including standard costing and variance analysis
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes
• Familiarity with SOX compliance and internal control frameworks preferred

Professional Skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders
• Proactive mindset with a focus on process improvement and efficiency
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines
• Collaborative approach with experience working across operations, engineering, and finance teams

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