Manufacturing Cost Accountant

Manufacturing Cost Accountant

Aspen is a technology leader in sustainability and electrification solutions. The Company's aerogel technology enables its customers and partners to achieve their own objectives around the global megatrends of resource efficiency, e-mobility, and clean energy. Aspen's PyroThin® products enable solutions to thermal runaway challenges within the electric vehicle ("EV") market. The Company's Cryogel® and Pyrogel® products are valued by the world's largest energy infrastructure companies. Aspen's strategy is to partner with world-class industry leaders to leverage its Aerogel Technology Platform® into additional high-value markets. Aspen is headquartered in Northborough, Mass.

At Aspen, our values reflect who we are and how we work both with each other and our customers, suppliers, and communities. They shape our interactions, guide our decisions, and inspire us to bring our best. Whether collaborating internally or externally, our values drive us to make a meaningful impact within Aspen and in all our relationships.

We Do the Right Thing

We are Problem Solvers

We are Allies

We Drive Forward

This role serves as a primary cost accounting resource at the East Providence manufacturing facility, with ownership of standard cost integrity, inventory controls, and manufacturing variance reporting. The Manufacturing Cost Accountant partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Production, Engineering, and Finance to ensure accurate standard costs, robust controls, and actionable financial analysis. This position operates within a SOX-compliant environment and reports to the Manufacturing Controller.

The Manufacturing Cost Accountant plays a key role in supporting operational decision-making, continuous improvement initiatives, external audits, and financial compliance requirements.

Adopt and follow Aspen's core values -We do the right thing, We are problem solvers, We are allies and We drive forward.

Cost Accounting & Product Costing

• Maintain and update standard costs for raw materials, labor, overhead, and freight components.
• Support annual standard cost rollups and interim cost revisions.
• Analyze manufacturing cost drivers and identify opportunities for cost improvement.
• Review and validate Bill of Materials, routing, labor standards, and overhead rates.
• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering to ensure costing assumptions accurately reflect manufacturing processes.

Inventory Accounting & Controls

• Reconcile inventory balances and investigate inventory-related discrepancies.
• Support monthly inventory close activities, including inventory valuation and reserve analysis.
• Monitor inventory transactions for accuracy and compliance with company policies.
• Coordinate and participate in physical inventory and cycle count programs.
• Analyze inventory adjustments, scrap, obsolescence and excess inventory reserves.

Manufacturing Variance Analysis

• Prepare and analyze monthly manufacturing variances, including: Material usage variance, PPV, Labor variance, Overhead variance, Yield variance, Substitution variance, Freight, customs and duties.
• Build and maintain a monthly manufacturing variance package suitable for presentation to plant operations leadership, including root cause narratives and action item tracking; provide clear explanations of significant variances to Finance and Operations leadership.
• Partner with operational teams to identify root causes and corrective actions.

Financial reporting & Month-End close

• Prepare month-end journal entries related to inventory, manufacturing costs, and reserves.
• Perform account reconciliations and support balance sheet reviews.
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end close activities.
• Support management's reporting and financial analysis related to manufacturing operations.
• Assist with internal and external reporting requirements.

ERP & Systems Support

• Maintain and administer costing data within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O), including cost group configuration, standard cost activation, and inventory close processing.
• Support implementation and enhancements of D365 F&O costing processes and controls, including BOM/route validation and production order management.
• Validate production order transactions and inventory movements.
• Assist with ERP testing, upgrades, and process improvements impacting manufacturing accounting.

Audit & Compliance

• Support external audit requests and documentation requirements.
• Own and maintain key SOX 404 control documentation related to inventory valuation, standard cost rollups, and PPV; support internal and external audit readiness (including requests from internal and external auditors) with timely, accurate workpapers.
• Assist in the development and documentation of accounting policies and procedures.
• Ensure inventory and costing processes comply with US GAAP and company policies.
• This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.

5+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.

Experience with standard costing and inventory accounting.

Experience supporting month-end close and financial reporting.

Experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics or similar.

Experience leading Physical Inventory.

Strong knowledge of manufacturing accounting principles.

Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP)

Experience with inventory reconciliations and variance analysis.

Understanding BOM's, routings, labor standards, and overhead allocation methodologies.

Experience in a public company environment with SOX 404 compliance and internal control documentation required: experience in a multi-site manufacturing environment a plus.

Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) strongly preferred; familiarity with the D365 costing module and inventory management is a significant differentiator.

CPA or CMA a plus.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Ability to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Strong collaboration and business partnering skills.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Frequently required to stand
• Frequently required to walk
• Occasionally required to sit
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
• Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts
• Occasionally works around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions
• Occasionally exposed to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than __5lbs__ pounds

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Aspen is committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package, a positive and productive work environment, encouraged work/life and family balance, and opportunities for growth and development, in a culture that is focused on inclusion, sustainability, and working together to solve the world's toughest challenges.

Aspen is proud to offer a competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Holidays, Sick Time, and PTO. In addition, we also offer 401k Employer Match, Life and Disability Insurance, and other benefits.

Expected Compensation: Between $90,000 and $105,000 USD/year based on experience.

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to View email address on click.appcast.io or call and leave a voice message at View phone number on click.appcast.io and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information and we will return your message.

For Our Rhode Island Applicants: Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,