Cost Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a detail-oriented Cost Accountant to join a manufacturing-focused finance team in Lowell, Massachusetts. This role will oversee product cost integrity, support month-end accounting activities, and provide analysis that helps improve operational and financial performance. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in standard costing, inventory accounting, and cross-functional collaboration within a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities:
• Maintain accurate product costing data by reviewing and updating material masters, bills of materials, routing structures, activity rates, labor assumptions, overhead allocations, and purchasing inputs.
• Examine manufacturing results to identify and explain variances related to production, inventory movement, valuation changes, reserve activity, and count discrepancies.
• Prepare accounting entries, balance sheet reconciliations, detailed schedules, and supporting documentation required for timely and accurate month-end close.
• Carry out assigned internal controls and ensure accounting activities remain aligned with established financial policies and procedural standards.
• Oversee operational accounting areas such as labor, overhead, precious metals, and related reporting to support informed business decisions.
• Work closely with Operations and other business partners on forecasts, budgets, capital spending reviews, and ongoing financial reporting needs.
• Investigate costing, inventory, posting, and master data issues, then validate underlying information used in financial analysis and reporting.
• Assist with audit activities by assembling requested documentation, answering follow-up questions, and delivering analysis for internal and external reviewers.
• Contribute to system enhancements, business integrations, process improvements, and other recurring or special projects while managing competing deadlines effectively.
• Communicate emerging accounting concerns, financial exposure, and operational impacts to management and cross-functional stakeholders in a timely manner.• At least 3 years of experience in cost accounting, preferably within a manufacturing setting.
• Strong background in manufacturing cost accounting, including standard costing and cost analysis.
• Experience working with inventory accounting, variance analysis, and month-end close processes.
• Proficiency in SAP and familiarity with maintaining costing and master data within an ERP environment.
• Ability to prepare journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting financial schedules with a high level of accuracy.
• Knowledge of internal controls and compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate with finance, operations, and audit teams.