Cost Accountant

Cost AccountantThrough committed service and sustainable protein solutions, Essentia is dedicated to building a better business for our customers. We do this by holding true to our values: Teamwork, Respect, Agility, Creativity and Knowledge. The Cost Accountant will partner with finance personnel to analyze and understand the impacts to the business of production and changes in costs. This position will also identify areas for process improvements while focusing on efficiency and value to management.Job QualificationsEducation:Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Management preferredExperience:Minimum of three years accounting experience requiredStrong Excel skills requiredIntermediate PowerPoint or similar presentation software experienceJob DutiesReconcile monthly inventory movements for raw material inventories.Complete and process requisitions and purchase orders for necessary plant expenses, entering information into INFOR software to ensure the highest level of accuracy and timeliness.Report on periodic variances and their causes, focusing on spending and production volume variancesProvide valuable cost analysis to management focusing on cost reductionLead the preparation of monthly results to senior management.Research, maintain, and periodically review cost allocation methodologiesOptimize efficiency by streamlining and automating complex cost accounting processesWork closely with manufacturing leadership to establish and maintain a solid understanding of production operations, inventory and yield calculationsSupport, analyze, and assist in the preparation and review of the company's annual operating budget.Collaborates with production staff to resolve discrepancies and develop an understanding of daily production yields.Supporting fixed asset capital spending and tracking requirements.Create & review monthly expense comparatives.Assist in helping to foster a culture of transparency between the plant and corporate offices.Generate various ad hoc reports as requestedRepresent plant finance on cross functional teams designed to improve operations and reduce costsAssist with month end duties to support the efficiency of the teamProvide analytics and explanations of monthly results as requiredAssist with maintaining company processes and controls and performing accounting and financial analysisEnsure all financial and operational transactions for the location are accurately capturedJob RequirementsGeneral accounting knowledge and the ability to ensure fully functioning and accurate accounting processesGeneral knowledge of accounting standards/procedures and cost accounting methodologiesAbility to input and access a variety of operational and financial informationAbility to research, compile, analyze and interpret dataIntermediate to advanced Excel abilities, utilizing pivot tables, macros and MS queries.Knowledge of organizational methods and the ability to prioritize multiple work assignments simultaneouslyAbility to maintain a high level of confidentiality related to all duties and responsibilitiesAbility to apply accounting formulas and/or perform mathematical calculations.Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writingAbility to work with other related projects as requested by the manager