Cost Accountant

Job Title: Cost Accountant – Multi-Site ManufacturingJob Description

This Cost Accountant role supports a multi-site manufacturing environment with a strong emphasis on inventory and work order costing. The position is highly visible and collaborates closely with operations and corporate teams to deliver accurate, timely cost reporting. The role suits someone who can quickly take ownership of their work, operate independently, and remain flexible in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and analyze cost accounting activities across multiple manufacturing locations.

• Support inventory accounting and work order tracking as a core focus of the role.

• Process and review product costing within JDE for multiple sites to ensure accuracy and consistency.

• Perform variance analysis for labor, material, and overhead and clearly communicate insights to stakeholders.

• Partner with plant operations and corporate finance teams to ensure accurate and timely cost reporting.

• Assist with month-end close activities related to inventory and cost accounting.

• Maintain and continuously improve costing accuracy, reporting processes, and related controls.

• Build, maintain, and manage reports using Excel, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions.

• Support ad hoc financial and operational analysis and respond to special requests from leadership as needed.

Essential Skills

• At least 3+ years of cost accounting experience.

• Strong background in inventory accounting and work order accounting.

• Experience working in manufacturing or inventory-driven environments.

• Proficiency in cost accounting principles and practices in a production setting.

• Ability to quickly learn new processes and systems and adapt on the fly.

• Comfortable working independently with minimal oversight while managing multiple priorities.

• Strong Excel skills for building and analyzing reports, including use of functions and basic data analysis.

• Effective communication skills to partner with operations and corporate finance teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using JDE (JD Edwards) for costing and inventory processes.

• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and complex data manipulation.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (preferred but not required).

• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations.

• Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities in cost and inventory reporting.

Work Environment

This is an on-site position based in a manufacturing environment, working across multiple locations rather than a single plant. The schedule follows a standard Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. workday. The assignment is planned through the end of the year, with potential to extend and the possibility of longer-term opportunities depending on business needs and budget. The role offers exposure to a large manufacturing organization, collaboration with both plant operations and corporate finance, and hands-on experience with JDE and Excel-based reporting. The environment is fast-paced and dynamic, requiring flexibility as workload ebbs and flows, and supports professional growth for someone looking to build a career in cost accounting within manufacturing.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Lakeland, FL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.85 - $33.65/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lakeland,FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io (%View email address on click.appcast.io) for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.