Manager of Cost Accounting

Location: Elkhart, Indiana
Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
Salary: $100,000–$140,000

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly analytical Manager of Cost Accounting to lead cost accounting activities within a manufacturing environment. This individual will play a critical role in understanding the true cost of production, identifying opportunities to improve margins and operational efficiency, and providing leadership with accurate financial and operational insight.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who loves to dig into the details, understands how manufacturing operations drive financial results, and can connect accounting data to what is happening on the production floor. This role requires someone who is detail-oriented, creative, technologically strong, and comfortable challenging existing processes to find better solutions.

Key Responsibilities

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• Lead and oversee all aspects of cost accounting for the manufacturing operation.

  
  
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• Analyze product costs, labor, overhead, material usage, production variances, and manufacturing performance.

  
  
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• Develop, maintain, and analyze Bills of Materials (BOMs) and routing information to ensure accurate product costing.

  
  
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• Perform detailed price and cost analysis, including material pricing, labor rates, overhead, margins, and profitability.

  
  
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• Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Sales to identify cost drivers and opportunities for improvement.

  
  
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• Analyze manufacturing variances and investigate root causes, developing corrective actions when necessary.

  
  
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• Evaluate production processes and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, cost structure, and profitability.

  
  
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• Develop and maintain costing models to support pricing decisions, new product development, capital investments, and strategic initiatives.

  
  
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• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling related to manufacturing costs and operational performance.

  
  
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• Develop meaningful financial and operational reporting to help leadership make informed decisions.

  
  
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• Utilize ERP and other technology systems to improve data accuracy, reporting, costing, and financial visibility.

  
  
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• Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve accounting and operational processes.

  
  
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• Work directly with plant leadership and operational teams to understand the business beyond the numbers.

  
  
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• Support month-end close activities related to inventory, standard costs, manufacturing variances, and cost accounting.

  
  
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• Assist with inventory valuation, cycle counts, physical inventories, and reconciliation processes.

  
  
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• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to senior leadership regarding pricing, profitability, production, and operational performance.

  
  
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• Take ownership of complex problems and drive solutions from initial analysis through implementation.

  
  
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Qualifications

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• 8+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, with significant experience in manufacturing cost accounting.

  
  
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• Strong hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment required.

  
  
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• Deep understanding of cost accounting principles and manufacturing accounting.

  
  
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• Strong experience with Bills of Materials, standard costing, variance analysis, inventory, labor, overhead, and product costing.

  
  
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• Demonstrated experience with price analysis, cost modeling, margin analysis, and profitability.

  
  
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• Strong IT and systems aptitude with experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems and financial reporting tools.

  
  
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• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to manipulate and analyze large amounts of data.

  
  
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• Experience with forecasting, budgeting, and financial modeling strongly preferred.

  
  
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• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.

  
  
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• Ability to investigate issues at a granular level and determine the underlying root cause.

  
  
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• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex financial information into actionable business recommendations.

  
  
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• Ability to work effectively with both accounting/finance professionals and operational teams.

  
  
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• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred.

  
  
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