Manufacturing Cost Accounting Analyst

A day in this role

You start your morning reviewing prior-day production runs, comparing actual material, labor, and overhead postings against standards in the ERP. A variance spike catches your eye—by mid-morning you’ve traced it to a supplier mix change and flagged the impact on unit costs. Before lunch, you’ve reconciled the inventory subledger to the general ledger and posted journal entries to true up WIP. The afternoon brings a floor walk to observe cycle counts, a huddle with operations to explain manufacturing variances, and time to update schedules for month-end reporting. You wrap by drafting insights for management on trends versus budget and opportunities to improve yield.

What you’ll take on

Cost accounting and inventory

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for raw materials, direct labor, and overhead rates
• Investigate and explain material, labor, and overhead variances
• Monitor inventory activity (receipts, transfers, adjustments) for accuracy
• Reconcile the inventory subledger to the general ledger
• Participate in cycle counts and physical inventories

Financial close and reporting

• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities
• Analyze manufacturing variances and translate insights for operations
• Assist with financial statements and internal management reporting

Budgeting and analysis

• Contribute to annual budget and forecast development
• Track actuals versus plan and highlight trends
• Provide decision support with timely financial analysis

Systems and controls

• Maintain cost data within ERP platforms (e.g., IQMS, SAP, Oracle)
• Ensure internal controls over inventory and financial reporting are designed and operating effectively

Cross-functional partnership

• Collaborate with production, supply chain, and operations to validate cost drivers and data integrity
• Drive process improvements that elevate accuracy and efficiency
• Communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance teams

What you bring

Education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
• 2–5 years of accounting experience, ideally within manufacturing
• Hands-on exposure to cost or inventory accounting (strongly preferred)

Technical toolkit

• ERP proficiency (IQMS, SAP, Oracle, or comparable)
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis)
• Working knowledge of GAAP and cost accounting concepts

Core strengths

• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy under deadlines
• Clear, concise communicator and collaborative teammate

Preferred qualifications

• CPA or active progress toward certification
• Experience with standard costing and variance analysis
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement practices

Work environment

• Office-based role with periodic time on the production floor
• Extended hours may be needed during month-end close or audits

How success is measured

• Timely, accurate financial reporting
• Insightful cost and variance analysis
• Inventory accuracy and effective reconciliations
• Tangible contributions to process improvement and cost savings