Cost Accountant

Job Title: Cost Accountant (Manufacturing Short-Term Engagement)

Job Description

This temporary Cost Accountant role supports a busy finance team in a manufacturing environment, focusing on cost and inventory accounting, month-end close activities, and SOX compliance initiatives. The position is ideal for an experienced accounting professional, including those seeking a short-term or post-retirement engagement, who can quickly ramp up and contribute to core finance operations.

Responsibilities

• Perform cost accounting activities, including cost analysis and support for manufacturing cost structures.

• Manage inventory accounting processes, ensuring accurate valuation, reconciliation, and reporting of inventory balances.

• Execute and support month-end close activities, including general ledger entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting related to manufacturing operations.

• Assist with SOX compliance initiatives, including documentation, testing, and adherence to internal controls within the finance function.

• Apply a strong understanding of manufacturing accounting processes to support accurate financial reporting and operational decision-making.

• Utilize ERP and accounting software systems to process transactions, analyze data, and produce financial reports.

• Support manufacturing operations by providing timely and accurate cost and inventory information to finance leadership and operational teams.

• Collaborate closely with finance leadership and accounting staff to resolve accounting issues and improve processes.

• Work independently with minimal ramp-up time, taking ownership of assigned tasks and meeting deadlines within the month-end close cycle.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of accounting workflows related to general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, and cost accounting.

Essential Skills

• 4 to 5+ years of accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Hands-on cost accounting experience in a manufacturing setting.

• Inventory accounting experience, including valuation and reconciliation.

• Proven month-end close experience, including general ledger work and reconciliations.

• SOX compliance experience, including working with internal controls and documentation.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing accounting processes and how they impact financial statements.

• ERP and accounting software experience, with the ability to quickly learn and navigate new systems.

• Ability to work independently with minimal ramp-up time and manage responsibilities within a standard 8-hour workday.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and providing financial insights to operational teams.

• Previous experience in complex manufacturing environments with multiple systems or product lines.

• Experience with one or more ERP/accounting platforms such as NetSuite, SAP, Unanet, or Sage.

• Experience with Bill.com for accounts payable and accounts receivable processing.

• Experience with Divvy or similar tools for expense management and transaction tracking.

• Experience in general ledger accounting, inventory reconciliation, and cost analysis.

• Comfort working in a small finance team and collaborating closely with finance leadership and accounting staff.

Work Environment

This is a 4- to 6-month onsite role with potential for extension, based in a manufacturing finance environment. The position requires working onsite 5 days per week alongside a finance team of approximately six employees. The schedule offers a flexible start time between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, with a standard 8-hour workday. The role involves daily use of ERP and accounting systems, including platforms such as NetSuite, SAP, Unanet, Sage, Bill.com, and Divvy, as well as tools for general ledger, month-end close, inventory accounting, reconciliation, and cost analysis. The work setting is collaborative, with frequent interaction with finance leadership and accounting staff, and emphasizes accuracy, independence, and timely completion of month-end and compliance-related tasks.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Groton, CT.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $52.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Groton,CT.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 15, 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.