Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant

This position will assist the Financial Operations team in daily cost accounting activities for MSD, providing support for inventory control, product costing, monthly financial close and analysis as well as budgeting and forecasting. The Cost Accountant will be a key business partner for the manufacturing operations organization.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Maintain cycle count program for Operations. This includes performing cycle count audits, participating in the year-end physical inventory, reviewing metrics and root cause analysis.
• Support product configuration process as the finance representative. This encompasses reviewing Bill of Materials, Routers, and Item Master set ups used to establish and update product standard costs.
• Review and analyze costing reports including standard cost roll ups, work order variances and purchase price variances.
• Perform month-end close activities including reviewing inventory transactions as well as operational spending. Prepare journal entries, reserve entries and perform inventory account reconciliations. Ensure accounting records are in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and comply with financial internal controls.
• Assist with annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting.
• Execute policies and procedures for monitoring and reporting on business and/or financial performance. Maintain monthly operations scorecard to track key performance indicators.
• Implement internal control procedures that are reasonably designed to safeguard company assets.
• Communicate frequently with the General Ledger Team to discuss accounting or other issues that may impact the timeliness and/or reliability of financial results.
• Assist with year-end audit preparation, ad hoc reporting, and financial analyses as required.
• Prepare schedules and provide cost and inventory information for the Company's annual audit.
• Work with confidential data in an effective, professional manner that maintains the integrity of the data and processes.
• Work with Operations and other departments to identify and propose solutions to potential costing and/or accounting issues.
• Provide ad hoc analyses as needed.

Experience and qualifications include:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting or related field
• MBA and/or CPA preferred
• Minimum 4 years cost accounting experience for manufacturing operations, preferably in a bioprocess industry and/or 4 years operations experience in manufacturing, preferably in the bioprocess industry
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP), JD Edwards preferred
• Proficiency in Shop Floor/Manufacturing/Product Costing modules a plus
• ERP system implementation a plus

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Ability to document and adhere to cost accounting policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Attention to detail with demonstrated commitment to excellence and performance.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities and issues of varying complexity, while meeting time-sensitive deadlines and deliverables.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel
• Advanced capabilities in ERP systems (JD Edwards preferred)
• ERP systems implementation experience preferred.
• Ability to perform ad hoc reporting and analysis as needed in a demanding financial environment.
• Demonstrated propensity to be creative, collaborative, proactive, and self-motivated in the execution and completion of assigned accountabilities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to organize, present, and articulate ideas both verbally and in writing.

Physical demands include:

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently required to sit and stand for long periods. The individual is occasionally required to walk; use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and exchange information, utilize equipment necessary to perform the job, and move about the office.

Work environment includes:

• This position is performed in a traditional office environment. Certain activities may require work to be performed in warehouse, laboratories, cold rooms and freezers.

Compensation summary:

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $67,900 to $101,000. This salary range represents a general guideline as MSD considers other factors when presenting an offer of employment, such as scope and responsibilities of the position, external market factors, and the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, education and experience. Employees may qualify for a discretionary or non-discretionary bonus in addition to their base salary. These annual bonuses are intended to recognize individual performance and enable employees to benefit from the Company's overall success.

Benefits summary:

At MSD, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and financial security. In addition to competitive salaries, our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with prescription benefits. We provide a 401(k) plan with company matching, flexible spending accounts, and company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance as well as group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Our offerings also encompass paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and paid parental leave, along with an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary perks include a fitness club membership contribution, pet insurance, identity theft protection, home and auto insurance discounts, and optional supplemental life insurance.

EEO/AA statement:

MSD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, age, protected veteran status, pregnancy, disability status, or any other protected characteristic. For our full EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit here.

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