Cost Accountant
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Location: Onsite - Greensboro Area, North Carolina
Reports To: CFO
Job Summary
The Cost Accountant will perform advanced cost accounting analyses to compare estimated costs to actual costs, maintain accurate cost data and standard costs, support inventory valuation and financial close processes, and prepare budget, forecast, and margin reports that inform operational and strategic decision-making.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Production clerk
Key Responsibilities
Gather and compile cost information and maintain a database of expenses.
Develop and implement daily, weekly, and monthly production reporting systems.
Partner with the production team to review and improve production reporting.
Develop systems and procedures for accumulation systems and cost accounting functions.
Determine fixed costs such as salaries, rent, and insurance.
Predict, plan, and record variable costs such as raw materials, labor, and operating costs.
Review and analyze actual costs to identify inaccuracies.
Prepare departmental and company-wide budgeting reports.
Review, analyze, and report actual profit margins.
Work with sales teams to develop customer quotes tied to costing information in the company's ERP system.
Develop and present customer and item margin reporting to senior management.
Perform month-end and year-end closings with assistance.
Determine and recommend cost-effective solutions.
Provide product sample costs for Marketing and General Accounting.
Assist the CFO with preparation of the annual budget.
Assist the CFO with completion of the annual audit.
Assist the Purchasing team with completion of the annual inventory.
Maintain and update standard costs for products, materials, labor, and overhead in the ERP system.
Review bills of materials, labor routings, and overhead assumptions with operations to improve cost accuracy.
Analyze material, labor, and overhead variances, identify root causes, and communicate findings and recommendations to management.
Reconcile inventory balances, support accurate inventory valuation, and investigate inventory discrepancies.
Assist with cycle counts, physical inventories, and follow-up on count variances and control issues.
Support forecasting, cost trend analysis, and scenario planning related to production, inventory, and margin performance.
Monitor key cost drivers such as scrap, yield, labor efficiency, and overhead absorption, and support cost reduction initiatives.
Help maintain cost accounting procedures, documentation, and internal controls to support audit readiness and compliance with accounting policies.
Perform other related duties assigned by the CFO.
Required Skills and Abilities
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related software, as well as accounting software.
Strong ERP system experience and the ability to maintain accurate product costing data.
Knowledge of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to analyze large data sets, identify cost trends, and present actionable insights to leadership.
Ability to work cross-functionally with production, purchasing, sales, and leadership to improve cost visibility and performance.
Thorough understanding of accounting procedures.
Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Excellent analytical and organizational skills with close attention to detail.
Ability to manage confidential information.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration required.
At least five years of experience in cost accounting required.
Manufacturing environment experience strongly preferred; CPA or CMA certification preferred.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Time on the floor working with the production team to record and gather costing information.
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.