Cost Accountant

The Panther Group; Florida; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Panther Group is seeking a Cost Accountant for a growing manufacturing organization to support financial reporting and provide insight into cost drivers affecting production, inventory, and profitability. You will work closely with site leadership and cross-functional partners to improve cost visibility, support budgeting and forecasting, and ensure accurate product costing and timely close.

This role offers opportunities to influence operational decisions through detailed analysis and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing cost structures, product costing, inventory accounting, and cost variance analysis.
• Experience with month-end close, general ledger activity, and account reconciliations.
• Familiarity with manufacturing ERP systems; experience with Epicor is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or comparable reporting and data analysis tools is beneficial.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to investigate financial fluctuations and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effectively with both accounting and non-finance teams.

Responsibilities

• Review manufacturing financial results, including product margins, production costs, and overhead allocation, to identify trends and areas requiring further analysis.
• Investigate cost discrepancies and prepare variance analyses to explain differences between actual results, established standards, and forecasts.
• Analyze labor, material, and manufacturing overhead costs to help identify opportunities for improved cost management.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to production expenses, inventory, and profitability.
• Monitor inventory costing and valuation, including work in process, completed goods, inventory adjustments, and potential obsolescence.
• Collaborate with plant operations, supply chain, and other business partners to understand cost drivers and communicate financial findings.
• Complete monthly accounting activities, including journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, and close-related reporting.
• Review expense classifications and account balances to support accurate and consistent financial statements.
• Prepare financial schedules, reporting packages, and supporting documentation for internal reviews and external audits.
• Assist with internal control procedures, compliance activities, and applicable audit requirements.
• Contribute to periodic financial consolidation and reporting processes.
• Participate in accounting system enhancements and initiatives to improve reporting accuracy and workflow efficiency.
• Perform additional accounting and analytical duties as business needs require.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Work independently

Cross-functional collaboration

Communicate findings clearly

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

Epicor ERP

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

A growing manufacturing organization is seeking a Cost Accountant to support financial reporting and provide insight into the cost drivers that impact production, inventory, and profitability. Working closely with the site’s financial leadership, this individual will help ensure accurate product costing, evaluate manufacturing performance, and support informed business decisions.

This opportunity is ideal for an accounting professional who enjoys working across departments, investigating financial trends, and connecting accounting data to day-to-day manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Review manufacturing financial results, including product margins, production costs, and overhead allocation, to identify trends and areas requiring further analysis.
• Investigate cost discrepancies and prepare variance analyses to explain differences between actual results, established standards, and forecasts.
• Analyze labor, material, and manufacturing overhead costs to help identify opportunities for improved cost management.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to production expenses, inventory, and profitability.
• Monitor inventory costing and valuation, including work in process, completed goods, inventory adjustments, and potential obsolescence.
• Collaborate with plant operations, supply chain, and other business partners to understand cost drivers and communicate financial findings.
• Complete monthly accounting activities, including journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, and close-related reporting.
• Review expense classifications and account balances to support accurate and consistent financial statements.
• Prepare financial schedules, reporting packages, and supporting documentation for internal reviews and external audits.
• Assist with internal control procedures, compliance activities, and applicable audit requirements.
• Contribute to periodic financial consolidation and reporting processes.
• Participate in accounting system enhancements and initiatives to improve reporting accuracy and workflow efficiency.
• Perform additional accounting and analytical duties as business needs require.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least 3 years of cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing cost structures, product costing, inventory accounting, and cost variance analysis.
• Experience with month-end close, general ledger activity, and account reconciliations.
• Familiarity with manufacturing ERP systems; experience with Epicor is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or comparable reporting and data analysis tools is beneficial.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to investigate financial fluctuations and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effectively with both accounting and non-finance teams.

What Makes This Opportunity Interesting?

This role offers the opportunity to contribute beyond routine accounting by helping connect financial performance with manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will work closely with site leadership and cross-functional partners to improve cost visibility, strengthen reporting, and support operational decision-making.