The Manager, Cost Accounting will own and lead the cost accounting and inventory accounting functions within the Accounting team. This role will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of manufacturing costs and inventory balances, supporting the month-end close and budgeting processes, and providing financial insights to support operational and business decision-making.
Reporting directly to the Controller, the Manager, Cost Accounting will work closely with the broader Finance and Accounting team and partner cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other teams throughout the organization.
We are looking for someone with strong cost accounting and manufacturing experience who can both manage day-to-day accounting activities and help develop and scale our processes as the organization grows. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, comfortable working with detailed operational data, and able to translate complex cost information into meaningful financial insights. Experience within aerospace & defense, automotive, or another complex manufacturing environment is preferred.
Own all manufacturing cost accounting activities, including month-end close, inventory accounting, cost maintenance, labor and overhead absorption, and related account reconciliations
Develop and maintain effective cost accounting processes, policies, controls, and documentation to support accurate and timely financial reporting
Perform and communicate manufacturing cost and variance analyses, including purchase price, material usage, labor, overhead, work order, cost revaluation, and invoice-to-PO variances
Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to develop a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, inventory flows, cost drivers, and operational performance
Partner with Operations and Finance to evaluate labor and overhead rates, absorption, utilization, and other manufacturing cost drivers
Work closely with the inventory and operations teams to monitor and improve cycle count processes, physical inventory procedures, and overall inventory accuracy
Ensure the accuracy and integrity of cost and inventory information within the ERP system through detailed analysis and coordination with inventory, purchasing, receiving, production, and work order processes
Identify and lead improvements to cost accounting and ERP processes as the Company’s manufacturing operations and reporting requirements continue to scale
Partner with Engineering and Operations to support the accuracy of bills of material, routings, work orders, and other inputs impacting product costs
Collaborate with FP&A to identify key cost drivers and provide cost accounting data and analysis to support budgeting, forecasting, and business planning
Provide financial analysis and insights to support cost reduction initiatives, sourcing decisions, manufacturing efficiency, and other operational decision-making
Support the design and execution of internal controls over inventory and cost accounting
Support financial statement audits and other compliance activities related to inventory, manufacturing costs, and cost accounting
Support and develop members of the Accounting team involved in cost and inventory accounting activities
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
5+ years of progressive experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, or manufacturing accounting
Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP applicable to inventory and manufacturing cost accounting
Experience working with ERP systems and analyzing detailed transactional and operational data
Experience with physical inventories, cycle counts, inventory reserves, and inventory-related internal controls
Experience developing and maintaining labor and manufacturing overhead rates, allocation methodologies, and cost pools
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering
Experience within aerospace & defense, automotive, industrial manufacturing, or another complex manufacturing environment
Experience establishing or improving cost accounting processes in a growing or evolving manufacturing organization
Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, and operational cost analysis
Experience implementing, enhancing, or scaling ERP cost accounting and inventory functionality
Experience managing or developing accounting team members
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
CPA, CMA, or other relevant professional certification is a plus
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
Ability to use a computer to complete assignments
Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone, and via telepresence
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will typically work in an office environment
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.