Cost Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

The Position:

The Cost Accountant is responsible for analyzing manufacturing costs, preparing cost estimates, maintaining cost accounting systems, and supporting financial decision-making through accurate and timely cost data. This role partners closely with operations, procurement, and engineering to ensure accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting. This role offers exposure to cross-functional operations and opportunities to expand responsibility as the business grows.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Cost Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare, analyze, and report on manufacturing cost data, including material, labor, and overhead.
• Perform margin analysis, product profitability reviews, and variance analysis (PPV, labor efficiency, scrap, overhead absorption, etc.).
• Analyze production costs and identify opportunities for cost reductions and process improvements.
• Provide regular reporting to leadership regarding trends, variances, and financial impacts.

Inventory & Cost Controls

• Maintain standard costs and update bills of materials (BOMs), routings, and overhead rates.
• Assist with monthly and annual physical inventory counts; reconcile variances and investigate discrepancies.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and work-in-process (WIP) calculations.
• Monitor and reconcile inventory transactions to ensure accuracy within the ERP system.

Financial Processes & Support

• Support month-end close by preparing journal entries, accruals, and cost-related reconciliations.
• Collaborate with operations and procurement to understand cost drivers and validate costing assumptions.
• Assist with annual budgeting and standard cost updates.
• Support internal and external audits by providing cost information, documentation, and analysis.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
• 2-5 years of cost accounting or manufacturing accounting experience preferred.
• Knowledge of bookkeeping, accounting best practices and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Experience with ERP systems required; Epicor experience strongly preferred
• Foundry or manufacturing environment experience a plus.
• Excellent computer skills; experience in accounting software, Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Accurate and precise attention to detail
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently