Cost Accountant

Cost AccountantAre you a detail-oriented accounting professional with experience in perishable goods or food manufacturing? Our client, a growing and innovative manufacturing company in Madison, WI, is seeking a cost accountant to play a key role in driving operational efficiency, analyzing production costs, and supporting strategic business decisions. This highly visible position works closely with plant leadership, operations teams, and finance to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve profitability. If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoy turning data into actionable insights, we'd love to hear from you. This is a full-time, on-site, direct hire position that offers a very competitive compensation and benefits package.Cost Accountant Responsibilities:Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, packaging, and manufacturing overheadMonitor production costs, investigate variances, and provide actionable recommendations to improve profitabilityPrepare monthly cost reports, margin analyses, and management reporting by product, customer, and production lineMaintain accurate inventory valuation, reconcile inventory accounts, and investigate discrepanciesCoordinate physical inventory counts and cycle counts while ensuring accurate tracking of raw materials, WIP, and finished goodsPartner with plant leadership and operations teams to evaluate labor, material, overhead costs, and production efficiencySupport new product costing, pricing decisions, and analysis of process, recipe, and packaging changesPrepare inventory and manufacturing-related journal entries and support month-end and year-end close activitiesEnsure compliance with GAAP, company accounting policies, and audit requirementsAssist with budgeting, forecasting, cost modeling, and variance analysis to support strategic planningRequirements for Cost Accountant:- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field - 3-5 years of cost accounting experience within a food or perishable goods manufacturing environment - Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis - Experience working with ERP systems and inventory management software - Advanced Microsoft Excel skills - Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities - Excellent communication skills and attention to detail