Inventory / Cost Accountant

Meridian Business Support Ltd; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Meridian Business Support Ltd is seeking an experienced Inventory / Cost Accountant to join a growing manufacturing business. You will own inventory accounting, ensuring accurate stock valuation and visibility across raw materials, WIP and finished goods, while partnering with Operations and Supply Chain.

You will drive improvements in controls, reporting and processes, deliver insightful analysis, and support month-end and forecasting activities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing inventory accounting or finance.
• Strong understanding of inventory valuation, BOMs and WIP.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel to interpret complex data.
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Qualified, part-qualified, or by experience (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
• Strong communication to influence non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience with Business Central or similar ERP systems.
• Knowledge of Power BI or other reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate accounting and valuation of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Perform inventory reconciliations and investigate stock discrepancies.
• Monitor and account for inventory movements, job closures, scrap, rework, and stock adjustments.
• Coordinate stock takes and support external audit requirements.
• Partner with operational teams to improve stock accuracy and control processes.
• Analyse inventory trends, stock movements, and obsolete inventory, providing actionable recommendations.
• Support month-end and year-end reporting requirements.
• Produce inventory reports and financial analysis to aid business decisions.
• Support forecasting and planning activities.
• Identify and implement improvements to inventory controls, reporting, and financial processes.

Skills

Inventory accounting

WIP management

BOMs understanding

Analytical skills

Advanced Excel

ERP systems

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Power BI knowledge

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Power BI

Business Central

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Inventory / Cost Accountant to join a growing manufacturing business.

The Role

You will take ownership of inventory accounting across the business, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and visibility of stock and work in progress. Working closely with Operations and Supply Chain teams, you will provide valuable financial insight while helping to improve controls, reporting, and inventory management processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate accounting and valuation of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Perform inventory reconciliations and investigate stock discrepancies.
• Monitor and account for inventory movements, job closures, scrap, rework, and stock adjustments.
• Coordinate stock takes and support external audit requirements.
• Partner with operational teams to improve stock accuracy and control processes.
• Analyse inventory trends, stock movements, and obsolete inventory, providing actionable recommendations.
• Support month-end and year-end reporting requirements.
• Produce inventory reports and financial analysis to aid business decisions.
• Support forecasting and planning activities.
• Identify and implement improvements to inventory controls, reporting, and financial processes.

About You

We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded accountant who can build strong relationships across the business and thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Experience within a manufacturing, inventory accounting, or finance environment.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, stock valuation, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and Work in Progress (WIP).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to interpret and present complex data.
• Experience using ERP systems.
• Qualified, part-qualified, or qualified by experience (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience with Business Central or similar ERP systems.
• Knowledge of Power BI or other reporting and visualisation tools.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious finance professional to join a successful manufacturing business where they can make a real impact on inventory control, operational performance, and financial reporting.