Cost Accountant III (Sr Cost Accountant)

Cost Accountant III

The Cost Accountant III provides advanced cost accounting, operational reporting, and business analysis support within a dynamic manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for product costing, manufacturing cost analysis, and ensuring accurate financial postings for production and related activities. The position plays a key role in financial close processes, inventory control, and variance analysis, partnering closely with Operations and FP&A teams to provide insights that drive efficiency and cost improvements. By leveraging expertise in SAP and cost accounting principles, the Cost Accountant III supports compliance, internal controls, and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Essential Duties:

• Cost Accounting & Analysis: Serve as the primary contact for Operations managers on production cost accounting and cost center expense analysis, in collaboration with the FP&A team
• Establish and maintain accurate product costing in SAP S4/Hana, verifying master data and calculation methods
• Calculate, investigate, and follow up on production, operational, and purchasing variances (Inventory, Absorption, PPV, etc.), directing improvement opportunities to the business
• Perform raw material standard vs. actual variance analysis and cost development reviews
• Demonstrate knowledge of fixed asset acquisition, capitalization, and life cycle activities
• Financial Close & Reporting: Provide technical and practical support for monthly financial close, production-related settlements, cycle counts, and inventory audits
• Perform GL account reconciliations to ensure accurate financial postings
• Assist in the preparation and analysis of manufacturing and supply chain reports
• Review vendor invoices for raw material purchases and follow up on discrepancies
• Compliance & Internal Controls: Support cost accounting efforts for maintaining JSOX internal controls
• Assist with internal and external audit inquiries and samples
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of accounting policies and procedures
• Collaboration & Continuous Improvement: Collaborate on multidisciplinary projects, driving solutions and process improvements
• Apply advanced understanding of supply chain workflows, manufacturing processes, and maintenance order activities as they relate to the general ledger
• Complete work efficiently and accurately, ensuring timeliness of deliverables
• Provide various administrative and practical support as needed

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements: To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee protection, wearing PPE is a possibility and includes equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. A respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.

Qualifications Requirements - Required and/or Preferred Education: Required: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline Essential Qualifications: 4-6 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment Strong knowledge of accounting principles and procedures (GAAP, IFRS) Proficiency in SAP cost accounting Advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel and database functions Ability to work effectively in both office and manufacturing environments Effective communication and teamwork skills Ability to handle confidential information responsibly Resilient, self-motivated, and able to perform under pressure Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English Alignment to Panasonic's seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude) Preferred Qualifications: Experience with SAP S4/Hana Background in multi-application IT environments, including electronic interfaces Experience with warehouse, stock management, and manufacturing operations Experience working with domestic and international teams Preferred Certification(s): CMA: Certified Management Accountant CPA: Certified Public Accountant MBA: Master of Business Administration

Physical Demands: Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to: Sit: 40% Walk: 30% Stand: 20% Lift: 10% Required Lifting and Carrying: Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%) For this position, the required frequency is: Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional Up to 20 lbs.: Not Required Up to 35 lbs.: Not Required Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Not Required

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You: Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health: Health Benefits Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options. Voluntary Benefits Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance. Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting. Paid Time-Off Benefits Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave. Educational Assistance Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service. Health Management and Wellbeing Programs Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service. Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus. On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.

About Us: Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA) is collaborating with Tesla at a massive battery factory near Reno, Nevada which is known for its quality of life and expansive outdoor adventures. Panasonic's role at the Gigafactory is to manufacture and supply cylindrical lithium-ion cells to Tesla for their electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Over the past few years, the Gigafactory has grown to the largest lithium-ion battery factory in the world. Together with our partner Tesla, we continue to revolutionize the lithium-ion battery space and accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy and transportation. Our mission at PECNA is to make the vision of affordable Electric Vehicles a reality by producing the world's safest, high quality, and lowest cost batteries. Through this effort we will create a clean energy society and our products will change society's use of and perceptions of electric power. In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

Supplemental Information: Pre-employment drug testing is required. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction. Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.