Job Description:Position SummaryThe Cost Accounting Manager is a finance leader responsible for driving manufacturing cost accounting excellence, operational partnership, and team effectiveness in a complex manufacturing environment. This role owns standard costing process, variance analysis, related core month-end close and reporting activities. The position partners closely with Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Finance leadership to translate cost performance into actionable business insights, improve forecast accuracy, support special projects, business cases, process improvements, and operational initiatives. The position requires someone who can move comfortably between detailed accounting execution and broader financial analysis, providing reliable reporting, actionable insights, and hands-on support for evolving business needs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Own the development, maintenance, and analysis of manufacturing overhead rates, including evaluation of fixed and variable cost pools, allocation bases, and the financial impact of absorption methodologies on inventory, cost of goods sold, and gross margin.
- Analyze purchase price, material usage, labor, overhead, yield, scrap, rework, utilization, absorption, and manufacturing efficiency variances; clearly communicate root causes, risks, and recommended actions.
- Prepare and support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting, ensuring timely close execution and clear explanation of results to stakeholders.
- Maintain balance sheet reconciliations, resolve reconciling items, and ensure accounting records are supported in accordance with company policy and applicable accounting standards.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and monthly performance analysis by preparing variance analysis, identifying key drivers, and helping translate results into actionable insights.
- Build and maintain financial models, scenarios, and business cases to support management decision-making, cost control, and operational planning.
- Lead or contribute to ad hoc projects across accounting, finance, and operations, including special analyses, process improvements, reporting enhancements, and strategic initiatives.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to evaluate business issues, support new initiatives, and provide financial guidance on emerging needs and priorities.
- Develop, document, and improve accounting and finance processes, internal controls, and reporting tools to increase efficiency, consistency, and data quality.
- Coordinate support for audits, compliance requests, and special management reviews by preparing schedules, documentation, and analysis as needed.
- Drive process and system improvements leveraging technology to automate, improve analytics, strengthen both accounting operations and FP&A capabilities.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field required.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in accounting, finance, or a blended accounting/FP&A role.
- Strong foundation in costing, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and month-end close.
- Deep understanding of all facets of manufacturing cost accounting, including standard costing, cost rolls, inventory valuation, variance analysis, overhead allocation, and the ability to calculate and explain overhead rates using both variable and fixed absorption methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to support budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and ad hoc financial analysis.
- Experience managing multiple priorities, including recurring responsibilities and project-based work, in a deadline-driven environment.
- Advanced Excel proficiency and experience working with ERP/accounting systems and large datasets.
- Strong communication and business partnering skills, with the ability to work across functions and adapt to changing business needs.
Preferred Qualifications- MBA and/or CMA preferred; these credentials are considered nice to have.
- Experience in a manufacturing, operational, or fast-paced business environment requiring both accounting discipline and financial analysis.
- Experience supporting cross-functional projects, process improvement initiatives, or systems/reporting enhancements.
- Experience with financial modeling, dashboarding, and data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
- Prior experience in implementing / improving costing framework in ERPs
Key Competencies- Well-rounded financial acumen across accounting and FP&A
- Ability to shift effectively between routine deliverables and ad hoc project work
- Analytical problem-solving and strong attention to detail
- Cross-functional collaboration and business partnership
- Initiative, adaptability, and continuous improvement mindset
- Clear communication and executive-ready presentation of financial insights
