Principal Cost Accountant

MKS Instruments; Poznań; On-site; PLN 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

MKS Instruments is seeking a Principal Cost Accountant to support multiple manufacturing sites and distribution centers across its European operations. You will collect data, allocate costs, prepare journal entries, and generate reports on labor, depreciation, and other expenses.

The role requires a Master’s degree and 7–10 years in manufacturing finance, with strong English skills and SAP experience. You will collaborate with management and audit teams to ensure accurate cost reporting and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance or related field.
• 7–10 years of manufacturing finance or cost accounting experience.
• Fluency in English.
• Strong SAP knowledge.
• Experience with Business Objects and Hyperion Financial Management preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office.
• Self-driven, analytical, and able to work with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end close activities and variance analysis across multiple factories.
• Prepare and publish weekly/monthly operations reports on costs and inventory.
• Perform new part costing and standard cost resetting for parts and BOMs.
• Analyze inventory and maintain reserve policies including obsolescence.
• Interface with management on product cost development and controls.
• Ensure accuracy of standard cost of sales and related journal entries.
• Support internal controls, audits, POs, and cycle counts.
• Collaborate with external auditors on inventory and valuation issues.
• Participate in budgeting and forecasting for multiple facilities.

Skills

English fluency

SAP

MS Excel

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Hyperion

Education

Master’s Degree

Tools

Business Objects

Hyperion HFM

Job description

Principal Cost Accountant

Are you naturally curious? So are we at MKS. Our collective curiosity drives us to be an innovation leader in many industries. Our products drive technology advancements across a wide range of applications such as 5G, augmented/virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, clean drinking water and space exploration. We are a team of collaborators who value fresh thinking and believe in mutual respect, constructive candor, diversity and inclusion. As a valued and trusted partner to our customers, we are continually pushing the boundaries of possibility. We believe in creating technology that transforms our world and are looking for like-minded individuals to join our team. If this is appealing to you, we want to meet you.

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Cost Accountant to support multiple manufacturing sites & distribution centers across the PSD European operations. This role involves collecting data, allocating costs, and preparing reports on labor, equipment, depreciation, assembly, and other operating expenses. You will also prepare journal entries, maintain and reconcile ledger accounts, and prepare financial statements and variance reports. Additionally, you may conduct analyses and prepare special reports for management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and participate in month-end close activities and variance analysis, including monthly Purchase Price Variance analysis and related capitalization and amortization entries for multiple factories.
• Prepare and publish weekly and monthly operations reports covering inventory, labor hours earned, and various manufacturing costs (e.g., scrap, manufacturing variances, warranty).
• Perform new part costing and item setups as required. Conduct periodic standard cost resetting for purchased parts, labor, overhead costs, and BOM revisions in accordance with corporate policies and procedures.
• Execute inventory analyses and reserve policies, including excess and obsolescence, MRB, and aged-inventory analyses, as well as used equipment, demo, and service inventories.
• Interface with group management on new product cost development and inventory controls.
• Ensure accuracy of standard cost of sales, variances, scrap, and other recurring journal entries detailing cost of sales and inventory.
• Fully support the internal controls process, including audit support, control monitoring, and execution of POs, cycle counts, periodic physical inventories, month-end reconciliation of accounts, revenue classifications, and other controls as required. Collaborate closely with material control to develop and monitor inventory control procedures.
• Liaise with external auditors for audits on inventory, reserves, and valuation issues.
• Report on asset utilization, cycle count accuracy, and completeness.
• Participate in annual budgeting and forecasting processes across multiple facilities as requested by Operations and/or BU Finance staff.
• Support the business planning and forecasting process, review forecast vs. actual results with department managers, and explain variances.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree
• Minimum of 7 - 10 years of manufacturing finance or cost accounting experience
• Fluency in English
• Strong working knowledge of SAP
• Experience with Business Objects and Hyperion Financial Management (HFM) preferred
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office
• Self-starting, self-directed, detailed, team-oriented professional with ability to independently determine the direction of work required and priority of projects
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experienced financial analysis and communication skills and the ability to successfully interact with management, international teams, and all reporting stakeholders
• Ability to work cooperatively with others within and across functions and demonstrate a positive attitude

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to various export control regulations. Applicants for these positions may be limited (by, for example, their countries of citizenship, country of origin, or immigration status) where required by law or governmental contact, and/or employment made contingent upon the issuance of appropriate governmental licensing.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail].

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role