Cost Accountant

Outform; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Outform Group is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant in Chicago to strengthen controllership, ensure timely financial reporting, and enhance internal controls in a manufacturing/project-based setting.

You will partner with Operational Finance, analyze inventory, refine costing methodologies, and drive automation to improve cost performance across U.S. facilities.

6+ years in cost accounting, GAAP proficiency, and ERP experience (Dynamics 365/SAP) are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 6+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment with project-based costing.
• At least 3 years of general accounting experience with GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• Experience with input-based cost accounting methods and inventory valuation.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Dynamics 365, SAP) and advanced Excel.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Operational Finance to actualize revenue analysis and provide check/balance.
• Analyze inventory across two North American divisions to ensure proper cost recognition.
• Maintain accurate and consistent inventory costing across U.S. facilities.
• Maintain net inventory value and perform WIP analysis.
• Analyze variances to identify cost reduction and efficiency opportunities.
• Perform absorption variance and rate analyses.
• Close production orders and allocate costs in the ERP system.
• Develop and maintain product costing methodologies including labor/overhead rates.
• Evaluate inventory movements and valuation impacts; provide recommendations.
• Prepare and reconcile freight cost and revenue by project.
• Collaborate with operations to improve cost performance and efficiency.
• Translate production workflows into accounting impacts for accuracy.
• Drive automation in cost accounting and inventory reconciliation processes.
• Assist in audit schedules related to inventory, project costing, capitalization.
• Ensure internal controls and GAAP-compliant cost reporting.

Skills

Cost accounting

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel and data analysis

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

SAP

Job description

At Outform Group, our guiding philosophy is Dare To Innovate.

Outform Group specializes in creating tangible consumer engagements that elevate, connect and humanize brand experiences. We unite leading experts in research, strategy, design, innovation and manufacturing, who work together to create unforgettable brand experiences.

Lean, interdisciplinary teams work in close collaboration with clients, helping them to solve their user’s biggest problems. Our user-centric, data-driven approach focuses on creating a seamless experience across different environments.

Position Summary

The Senior Cost Accountant plays a key role in supporting the controllership function by ensuring the timely and accurate reporting of financial results and maintaining strong internal controls over financial reporting. This position will serve as a critical liaison between Finance and Operations, working cross-functionally to enhance cost transparency, support strategic decision-making, and drive continuous improvement in a manufacturing and project-based environment. This role will work closely with the Operational Finance team to actualize their revenue analysis and serve as a check and balance against their work.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Operational Finance team to actualize their analysis on revenue, and act as an independent check and balance against the analysis they prepare.
• Analyze inventory across two North American divisions to ensure all project costs are appropriately recognized.
• Maintain accurate and consistent inventory costing across all U.S. facilities.
• Maintain appropriate net inventory value, performing inventory reconciliation and WIP analysis.
• Analyze manufacturing and purchasing variances to identify opportunities for cost reduction and production efficiency.
• Perform absorption variance and absorption rate analysis.
• Manage the closing of production orders and perform detailed cost allocations within the ERP system.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust product costing methodologies, including labor and overhead rate structures.
• Evaluate inventory movements and valuation impacts; provide financial analysis and recommendations related to inventory changes.
• Prepare and reconcile freight cost and revenue by project.
• Collaborate with operations teams to support initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and cost performance.
• Act as a finance liaison to operational departments, translating production workflows into accounting impacts to ensure financial accuracy and alignment.
• Drive automation and process improvements within cost accounting and inventory reconciliation workflows.
• Assist in the preparation and review of audit schedules related to inventory, project costing, and capitalization.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures related to inventory and cost reporting.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment with project-based costing.
• At least 3 years of general accounting experience, with a deep understanding of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• Demonstrated experience with input-based cost accounting methods and inventory valuation.
• Proficiency with large-scale ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP).
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally and effectively communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel with the ability to analyze large datasets, create dashboards, perform reconciliations, and automate reports using advanced formulas.

Characteristics

• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skill sets
• Strategic and innovative thinker, excelling with a high degree of autonomy in entrepreneurial environments.
• Great communicator who can distill powerful messages that resonate with clients.
• Proactive and able to command respect through intelligence, hard work, and persistence.
• Problem-solver, with a consistent track record of flawless project execution.
• Personal passion and fervor for utilizing enabling technologies.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to drive decision-making.
• Continuous and thoughtful listener, able to learn from clients and leverage input.
• Strong personal work ethic focused on high-priority issues; action- and results-oriented.