Plant Cost & Inventory Accountant

Step into the plant and shape the numbers that shape production

As a Plant Cost & Inventory Accountant, you’ll be the finance partner tracking what it truly costs to build our products. Your work keeps standard costs current, inventory accurate, and monthly results tight and timely—so operations leaders can act with confidence.

A day in the life

• Start the morning reviewing inventory activity—receipts, transfers, and adjustments—and reconciling the subledger to the general ledger.
• Refresh standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead; investigate and explain material, labor, and overhead variances with production teams.
• Prepare journal entries and supporting schedules; post and reconcile accounts ahead of close deadlines.
• Meet with supply chain and operations to translate manufacturing variances into actionable insights.
• Update ERP cost data and confirm controls around inventory and financial reporting are working as intended.
• Advance process improvements that speed up reporting and improve data quality.

What you’ll tackle

• Cost Accounting & Inventory: Maintain standard costs; analyze cost variances; monitor inventory transactions; reconcile subledger to GL; support cycle and physical counts.
• Financial Reporting & Close: Prepare journal entries, reconciliations, and schedules; assist with month-, quarter-, and year-end close; help build financial statements and management reports.
• Budgeting & Analysis: Contribute to annual budgets and forecasts; track actuals vs. plan; deliver financial analysis to guide operational decisions.
• Systems & Controls: Maintain ERP cost data (IQMS, SAP, Oracle, or similar); uphold internal controls over financial reporting and inventory.
• Collaboration: Partner with production, supply chain, and operations; communicate clearly with non-finance stakeholders; champion efficiency and accuracy.

Who you are

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, or related field; 2–5 years of accounting experience (manufacturing preferred); background in cost or inventory accounting strongly preferred.
• Technical: Advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis); GAAP knowledge; understanding of cost accounting principles; ERP familiarity (IQMS, SAP, Oracle, or comparable).
• Soft Skills: Analytical problem-solver with strong attention to detail; organized, deadline-driven, and able to work independently; clear communicator and collaborator.

Preferred

• CPA or progress toward certification.
• Experience with standard costing and variance analysis.
• Exposure to lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives.

Work setting

• Office-based with regular visits to the production floor.
• Extended hours may be required during month-end close or audits.

How success is measured

• Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting.
• Quality and impact of cost and variance analysis.
• Inventory accuracy and reconciliation results.
• Contributions to process improvements and cost savings.

Core proficiencies

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Cost Accounting
• Bank Reconciliation