Cost Accountant

William Vaughn; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

William Vaughn is seeking an experienced Cost Accountant to support its manufacturing operations. You will own standard costing, BOM maintenance, and inventory accounting while partnering with Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain to improve cost visibility and profitability.

Responsibilities include annual cost updates, variance analysis, and month-end close support. A Bachelor's degree and 3+ years in cost accounting in manufacturing are required, with CPG experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 3+ years of hands-on cost accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Food & beverage or CPG manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Direct experience with standard costing, BOMs, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing cost accounting processes.
• Advanced Excel skills with large data sets.
• Strong understanding of inventory valuation, COGS, and month-end close.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel periodically to facilities.

Responsibilities

• Own standard costing processes, including BOMs and product costs.
• Lead annual standard cost updates, including raw materials, labor, and overhead.
• Analyze production costs, variances, and cost drivers for improvements.
• Manage inventory reconciliations across facilities and warehouses.
• Support month-end close, inventory valuation, COGS reporting, and reconciliations.
• Maintain costing data in ERP and ensure proper controls.
• Partner with Plant Ops, Purchasing, and Supply Chain to improve inventory accuracy.
• Support new product costing and customer profitability analysis.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen cost accounting processes and reporting.
• Travel to manufacturing/warehouse facilities as needed.

Skills

Standard costing

BOMs

Inventory accounting

COGS analysis

Variance analysis

Advanced Excel

ERP systems

Data analysis

Cross-functional

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

We are partnering with a growing, privately held consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturer seeking an experienced Cost Accountant to support its manufacturing operations.

This role will focus on standard costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing variance analysis, and cost of goods sold (COGS). The Cost Accountant will partner closely with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Plant Leadership to improve cost accuracy, strengthen inventory controls, and support profitability.

• Own standard costing processes, including developing, maintaining, and updating bills of material (BOMs) and product costs.
• Lead annual standard cost updates, incorporating raw materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead.
• Analyze production costs, manufacturing variances, and cost drivers to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Manage inventory reconciliations across manufacturing facilities and third-party warehouses.
• Support month-end close, inventory valuation, COGS reporting, and cost accounting reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate costing data within the ERP system and ensure appropriate accounting controls.
• Partner with Plant Operations, Purchasing, and Supply Chain to improve inventory accuracy and cost visibility.
• Support new product costing, customer profitability analysis, and operational decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen cost accounting processes and improve financial reporting.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• 3+ years of hands-on cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Food & beverage or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Direct experience with standard costing, bills of material (BOMs), inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Experience working with ERP systems and manufacturing cost accounting processes.
• Advanced Excel skills, including working with large data sets.
• Strong understanding of inventory valuation, COGS, and month-end close.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel periodically to manufacturing and warehouse facilities.