Cost Accountant 1

Seneca Foods Corporation Job Overview: The Cost Accountant reports to the Plant Controller and will be responsible for maintaining and analyzing cost-related financial data to ensure accurate reporting and informed decision-making. This individual will work closely with operations, production, and finance teams to track costs, monitor variances, support daily operational reporting, and assist in various finance and administrative tasks. The ideal candidate will have experience in food manufacturing, strong analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities Financial Analysis & Cost Management:

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for raw materials, labor, and overhead.
• Conduct variance analysis (material, labor, and overhead) and report discrepancies.
• Assist in preparing cost estimates for new products, capital projects, and process changes.
• Assist Plant Controller with costing and analysis projects to support financial decision-making.

Inventory & Production Costing:

• Monitor and reconcile inventory valuation, including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
• Track and report production costs to ensure accuracy in financial statements.
• Reconcile raw material usage and resolve discrepancies.
• Support daily operational tracking and reporting activities.

Reporting & Compliance:

• Prepare accurate financial reports for internal management review.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to cost accounting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal company policies.

Administrative & Operational Support:

• Prepare general ledger journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Manage taxes, including state and local tax compliance and reporting.
• Handle cash transactions and ensure proper cash handling procedures.
• Administer company purchase card program in coordination with accounting and purchasing.
• Organize and coordinate meals for meetings and plant events.
• Support accounts payable and provide back-up assistance as needed.
• Assist management with a variety of cross-functional projects and initiatives.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement:

• Collaborate with corporate and plant management to enhance costing processes and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting tools and streamline accounting procedures.
• Assist in audit preparation and ensure accuracy of cost accounting records.

Qualifications Technical & Analytical Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 2+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment (food manufacturing preferred).
• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, GEM, or similar).
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, financial modeling, and macros.
• Intermediate proficiency in Adobe Acrobat Pro (PDF creation, editing, annotation, form creation, digital signatures, security settings).
• Strong knowledge of GAAP principles and inventory valuation methods (FIFO, LIFO, standard costing).

Problem-Solving & Decision-Making:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and make informed decisions aligned with company policies.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and under tight deadlines.

Adaptability & Work Ethic:

• Willingness to work overtime or weekends when necessary.
• Strong organizational skills and commitment to accuracy.
• Positive, proactive attitude and a continuous improvement mindset.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., as needed.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving history (subject to verification via company DMV history check).
• High level of integrity with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information responsibly.
• Bilingual in Spanish (desirable, but not required)