Inventory & Cost Accounting Lead

Design Thinking Solutions Group; Colombia; On-site; COP 60,000,000 - 120,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Thinking Solutions Group seeks a senior Inventory and Cost Accountant to lead multi-site cost accounting and COGS activities in Colombia. You will drive accurate inventory valuation, review landed costs, and partner with Purchasing, Operations, and Finance to resolve issues.

You will oversee month-end close, journal entries, and reconciliations, while strengthening internal controls and data quality. Strong ERP, IFRS/GAAP knowledge, and collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• You understand inventory and cost accounting in multi-site operations.
• Familiar with US GAAP or IFRS and internal control requirements.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies and drive improvements.
• Hands-on ERP experience with data reconciliation.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead inventory and COGS accounting activities across locations, business units, and third-party partners.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation in accordance with applicable standards and company policies.
• Review cost components, including purchase costs, freight, duties, and landed costs.
• Evaluate inventory reserves, adjustments, and provisions for obsolete or slow-moving inventory.
• Analyze cost variances and inventory discrepancies, working with partners to identify root causes.
• Coordinate the monthly inventory and cost accounting close; ensure timely completion.
• Prepare or review journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Analyze changes in inventory balances, COGS, and gross margin.
• Provide explanations of key movements to Finance leadership.
• Support management reporting and other financial analysis as needed.
• Maintain and improve controls over inventory transactions, valuation, and reporting.
• Support physical counts and resolution of differences.
• Prepare documentation for audits and maintain accounting policies.
• Identify control gaps and drive corrective actions with teams.
• Guide and support accounting staff involved in inventory/cost accounting.

Skills

Inventory accounting

Cost accounting

IFRS / US GAAP

ERP systems

Data reconciliation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP software

Excel

BI/Reporting tools

Job description

You understand inventory and cost accounting and can translate complex data into clear, actionable insights. You take ownership of your work, investigate discrepancies thoroughly, and keep close activities moving without compromising accuracy.

You are comfortable reviewing detailed accounting work, supporting team development, and working across departments to resolve issues. You also look for opportunities to simplify processes, improve data quality, and use technology effectively.

Key ResponsibilitiesInventory and Cost Accounting

Who We're Looking For

You understand inventory and cost accounting and can translate complex data into clear, actionable insights. You take ownership of your work, investigate discrepancies thoroughly, and keep close activities moving without compromising accuracy.

You are comfortable reviewing detailed accounting work, supporting team development, and working across departments to resolve issues. You also look for opportunities to simplify processes, improve data quality, and use technology effectively.

Key ResponsibilitiesInventory and Cost Accounting

• Lead inventory and COGS accounting activities across applicable locations, business units, and third-party partners.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation in accordance with applicable accounting standards and company policies.
• Review cost components, including purchase costs, freight, duties, and other applicable landed costs.
• Evaluate inventory reserves, adjustments, and provisions for obsolete or slow-moving inventory.
• Analyze cost variances and inventory discrepancies, working with business partners to identify and resolve underlying issues.

Financial Close and Reporting

• Coordinate the monthly inventory and cost accounting close, ensuring accurate results and timely completion.
• Prepare or review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Analyze changes in inventory balances, COGS, and gross margin.
• Provide clear explanations of key movements, risks, and accounting issues to Finance leadership.
• Support management reporting and other financial analysis as needed.

Internal Controls and Audit Support

• Maintain and improve controls over inventory transactions, valuation, and reporting.
• Support physical inventory counts and cycle counts, including the review and resolution of differences.
• Prepare documentation and schedules for internal and external audits.
• Maintain clear records of accounting policies, procedures, and conclusions for complex transactions.
• Identify control gaps and collaborate with relevant teams on corrective actions.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Guide and support accounting team members involved in inventory and cost accounting.
• Coordinate workloads, establish priorities, and review work for accuracy and completeness.
• Provide coaching and encourage knowledge sharing and consistent accounting practices.
• Partner with Purchasing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance to resolve accounting issues and improve visibility into inventory activity.
• Communicate accounting requirements clearly to non-accounting stakeholders.

Process and Systems Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort.
• Improve the accuracy and consistency of inventory data across accounting and operational systems.
• Support ERP enhancements, system integrations, and reporting improvements.
• Apply automation and other appropriate tools to strengthen reconciliations, reporting, and controls.
• Document processes to support consistency, scalability, and business-continuity.

What You Bring

• Relevant experience in inventory accounting, cost accounting, or a related accounting function.
• Strong knowledge of inventory valuation, COGS, landed costs, reserves, and account reconciliations.
• Understanding of applicable accounting standards, such as US GAAP or IFRS, and relevant internal control requirements.
• Experience leading accounting activities, reviewing work, or mentoring team members.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems and inventory management applications.
• Strong spreadsheet, analytical, and data reconciliation skills.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies, identify root causes, and recommend practical solutions.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• A proactive approach to process improvement and problem-solving.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• A degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• A relevant professional accounting certification.
• Experience in an inventory-intensive business, such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, or consumer products.
• Experience with multi-location inventory or third-party logistics providers.
• Familiarity with audit requirements and structured internal control environments.
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• Experience with reporting tools, automation, or ERP implementation and optimization projects.