Cost Accountant

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking a Cost Accountant to support the development and oversight of service center rates. The role involves collecting and analyzing financial data, reviewing ISRs for accurate rate application, and preparing data for rate development worksheets.

Strong Excel/Access skills and cost analysis experience are essential. The successful candidate will maintain records, assist with rate recommendations, and participate in university-wide financial management initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in accounting, auditing, or cost analysis, including cost studies.
• Proficiency with Excel (pivot tables) and Access for data analysis.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to reconcile financial data accurately.
• Ability to interpret state, federal, and university policies and guidelines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze service center financial data to support rate development and monitoring.
• Review interdepartmental service requests to ensure rates are applied accurately with complete documentation.
• Assist service center staff in gathering data for rate development worksheets.
• Analyze service center costs and recommend rates with well-documented workpapers.
• Maintain organized electronic records and ensure proper documentation retention.
• Support special projects that advance Controller’s Office financial management goals.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal communication

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Tools

Excel

Access

SQL

SAS

Job description

The Controller’s Office is seeking a Cost Accountant to provide financial and accounting support for the development and oversight of service center rates. This role is responsible for reviewing expenditure and recovery data to ensure service center activities reflect actual costs and usage of services or products.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Collecting and analyzing service center financial data to support rate development and monitoring
• Reviewing interdepartmental service requests (ISRs) to ensure approved rates are applied accurately and supporting documentation is complete; resolving discrepancies in collaboration with service center personnel
• Assisting service center staff in gathering and preparing data required for rate development worksheets
• Analyzing service center costs and recommending rates, supported by well-documented workpapers, to the Cost Accounting Senior or Manager
• Maintaining organized electronic records and ensuring proper documentation retention
• Supporting special projects that advance the Controller’s Office mission to deliver high-quality, efficient, and effective financial management services to the university

Required Qualifications

• Relevant education and/or professional experience in accounting, auditing, or cost analysis, including preparation of cost studies
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas) and Access (e.g., queries), to aggregate and analyze data
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to compile, investigate, reconcile, and evaluate financial data accurately
• Ability to interpret and apply state, federal, and university policies, regulations, and guidelines
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within established procedures while exercising sound judgment to resolve routine issues and make independent, well-reasoned decisions or recommendations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to providing high-quality customer service and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field
• Professional experience in accounting, cost control, or job costing, with a strong understanding of standard cost development principles
• Demonstrated ability to develop and present financial reports for management and/or external stakeholders
• Experience using data query and analysis tools (e.g., SQL, SAS, or Microsoft Access)
• Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial systems such as Banner Finance

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Salary range of $60,000 - $65,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

8/25/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Zach LaCroix at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.