Senior Cost Accountant

Prater Industries

$80K — $120K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum of three years in accounting with a focus on manufacturing and cost accounting.
  • Intermediate to advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and financial modeling.
  • Experience with accounting systems and data integration across applications.
  • Familiarity with AI tools in accounting/finance is advantageous.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to influence outcomes across departments.
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA/CMA/MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Own month-end close process, account reconciliations, and general ledger analysis.
  • Manage cost accounting processes including standard costing and inventory valuation.
  • Lead a team of three direct reports in accounting operations.
  • Provide support for the annual budget process and perform monthly variance analysis.
  • Collaborate with Operations to identify cost constraints and develop corrective actions.
  • Effectively communicate financial insights to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
  • Champion and implement improvements to accounting processes and internal controls.

Benefits

  • Direct exposure to leadership and strategic decision-making processes.
  • Pathway toward a Controller role, enhancing career growth opportunities.
  • Opportunity to work cross-functionally and impact business performance.
  • Support for ERP system usage and process optimization.
  • Environment that encourages the use of AI and automation tools for efficiency.
Full Job Description
This person will own the day-to-day accounting operations, supervision of the accounting team, the monthly close and reconciliation process, and support our manufacturing business. This role is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in manufacturing and cost accounting who is ready to take on greater ownership of the function and work closely with operations leadership to support strategic business initiatives. You'll report to the Director of Finance and have direct exposure to leadership, playing a key role in driving process improvements, cost reductions, and cross-functional initiatives.

What You'll Do
• Own month-end close process, account reconciliations, and general ledger analysis
• Manage cost accounting processes including standard costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis
• Lead a team of three direct reports
• Provide support for the annual budget process, including monthly variance analysis
• Partner with Operations and leadership to identify financial and operational constraints affecting cost and margin, and work with key personnel to determine root causes, develop corrective actions, and track results.
• Collaborate with and present findings to the leadership team, effectively communicating financial insights to both financial and non-financial stakeholders
• Identify, champion, and implement improvements to accounting processes and internal controls, from concept through implementation, working cross-functionally to drive adoption
• Support ERP system usage, reporting, and process optimization within the organization
• Leverage AI and automation tools to drive efficiencies throughout the organization
• Assist with technical accounting matters, audit support, and other tax and compliance matters as needed

What You Bring
• Minimum of three years in accounting with a demonstrated foundation in manufacturing and cost accounting. Manufacturing experience is strongly preferred, with demonstrated examples of using Financial & Operational data to identify constraints and work cross-functionally to improve cost, margin, or business performance.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, complex formulas, financial modeling)
• Experience with accounting systems and data integration across applications
• Familiarity with AI tools as applied to accounting/finance workflows a plus
• Understanding of relational databases/SQL a plus
• Demonstrated ability to champion projects and influence outcomes across departments
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles (e.g., 5S, continuous improvement, waste reduction) a plus
• A growth mindset - this role is a pathway toward a Controller role
• Strong communication skills
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, CPA/CMA/MBA a plus

Compensation Range: $80,000 to $120,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

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