Function Summary
As a Cost Accountant, you'll play a key role in supporting the organization's financial reporting and manufacturing operations by analyzing costs, maintaining cost accounting systems, and providing management with meaningful financial insights. This position is responsible for collecting and analyzing cost data, evaluating manufacturing performance, maintaining cost standards, and supporting month-end financial activities.
We're looking for someone who is analytical, detail-oriented, and enjoys working closely with manufacturing, engineering, and finance teams to provide accurate cost information that supports business decision-making.
What You'll Do
Analyze Manufacturing & Product Costs
- Follow direction provided by the Director of Finance and Accounting or designee.
- Plan, study, and collect data related to business activities, including raw materials, labor, inventory, and manufacturing costs.
- Analyze changes in product design, material costs, manufacturing methods, and service offerings to determine their impact on product costs.
- Evaluate manufacturing performance and identify cost trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
- Develop cost estimates for new and proposed products using historical data and other business factors.
Maintain Cost Accounting Systems
- Maintain and support the company's cost accounting system.
- Record and analyze cost information used to monitor and control expenditures.
- Assist with the development, maintenance, and analysis of cost standards.
- Work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to ensure accurate costing methodologies and standards are maintained.
Support Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Analyze actual manufacturing costs and prepare reports comparing standard costs to actual production costs.
- Prepare detailed reports that help management understand factors affecting product pricing, margins, and profitability.
- Analyze audit results and prepare supporting reports and documentation.
- Provide financial analysis that supports operational and strategic decision-making.
- Prepare periodic reports for management, including daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting as needed.
Support Accounting Operations
- Assist with month-end closing activities, including General Ledger responsibilities.
- Analyze financial data, document findings, and record results accurately.
- Support annual audit activities and provide requested financial information and documentation.
- Help ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial and cost accounting records.
Promote Safety & Professionalism
- Maintain a safe work environment by following and enforcing all company safety policies and procedures, including the use of required personal protective equipment when applicable.
- Communicate professionally and effectively with coworkers, management, customers, and others.
- Represent McLanahan Corporation positively while supporting the company's core values.
What You'll Bring
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
- Two (2) years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with ERP systems, preferably Epicor.
- Experience working with Engineering and Manufacturing personnel on the development and analysis of cost standards.
Skills & Qualifications
- Strong cost accounting and cost systems background.
- Thorough understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial analysis skills.
- Ability to prepare and present daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for senior management.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to use experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
- Ability to work successfully in an environment requiring flexibility, initiative, creativity, and independent decision-making.
Physical Requirements
This position is based in an office environment and requires sitting and standing for extended periods. The role requires the ability to travel domestically as needed. Employees must possess good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including the ability to grasp, visual acuity to use a keyboard, and the ability to operate standard office equipment. Effective verbal and written communication skills are required.
The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Additional Information
This job description outlines the primary duties and responsibilities of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned as needed based on business needs and management direction. Responsibilities and requirements may change at any time.