Cost Accountant

Korn Ferry; Humble (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry is partnering with our client in Humble, TX for a Cost Accountant role requiring 3–5+ years in cost accounting within industrial environments. The position is hybrid (Tues–Thurs in the office) and focuses on standard costing, margin analysis, and inventory valuation.

Bachelor’s degree is required, CPA/CMA preferred, with base compensation in the $90k–$100k range. The role involves close collaboration with Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance to improve cost visibility, maintain

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• 3–5+ years of accounting experience, ideally in cost accounting, manufacturing, or industrial settings.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• ERP and inventory management system experience is required.
• Advanced Excel skills with pivot tables, lookups, and modeling.
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and able to communicate with non-financial stakeholders.
• CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, overhead, and finished products.
• Perform inventory accounting, reconciliations, cycle counts, physical inventory support, and reserve analysis.
• Analyze manufacturing and operational variances and communicate drivers to management.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Analyze product margins, pricing, profitability, and operating performance.
• Review BOMs, routings, and production data for accurate costing.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning for manufacturing costs.
• Partner with Operations, Purchasing, and Supply Chain to improve cost controls.
• Assist audits, process improvements, and system implementations related to inventory and cost management.

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory accounting

Standard costing

Variance analysis

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Communication

Cross-functional teamwork

CPA/CMA preferred

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP system

Inventory management system

Job description

Korn Ferry is partnering with our client on their search for a Cost Accountant.

Company Overview:

• Growing, private equity-backed distributor and remanufacturer of aftermarket diesel engine components and related products
• The company supports customers across commercial trucking, construction, agriculture, marine, transportation, and other industrial markets
• Its product portfolio includes fuel injection systems, turbochargers, engine components, filtration products, and other mission-critical diesel parts
• The business generates approximately $300M in annual revenue and continues to expand through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions
• The company operates with a lean, entrepreneurial culture and offers strong exposure to senior leadership as it continues building out its finance and FP&A capabilities

Role Summary:

• Title: Cost Accountant
• Location: Humble, TX
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Tues-Thurs in Office)
• Primary Focus: Own and support cost accounting, inventory accounting, product costing, margin analysis, and financial reporting while partnering with Operations and Supply Chain to improve cost visibility and business performance
• Team Scope: Work cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and business leadership to ensure accurate product costs, inventory valuation, and operational reporting

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, overhead, and finished products
• Perform inventory accounting, reconciliations, cycle count analysis, physical inventory support, and reserve analysis
• Analyze manufacturing and operational variances and communicate key drivers to management
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close, including journal entries and account reconciliations
• Analyze product margins, pricing, profitability, and operational performance
• Review BOMs, routings, and production data to ensure accurate product costing
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning related to manufacturing and operating costs
• Partner with Operations, Purchasing, and Supply Chain to improve cost controls and operational efficiency
• Support audits, process improvements, and system implementations related to inventory and cost management

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• 3–5+ years of accounting experience, ideally within cost accounting, manufacturing, distribution, or an industrial environment
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation
• ERP and inventory management system experience required
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and financial modeling
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to work independently while partnering effectively across Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Finance
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to non-financial stakeholders
• CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification preferred
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities
• Target Base Compensation: $90K–$100K
• Full-time, exempt position
• Opportunity to gain broad exposure across cost accounting, inventory, manufacturing, and operational finance
• Cross-functional interaction with Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Finance leadership
• Opportunity to support process improvement and systems initiatives as the organization continues to evolve

Selling Points

• Hands-on cost accounting role with meaningful ownership of inventory, costing, margins, and manufacturing analysis
• Strong exposure to Operations and Supply Chain rather than being limited to traditional corporate accounting
• Opportunity to analyze how product costs, manufacturing activity, and operational decisions directly impact profitability
• Broad responsibilities across standard costing, inventory valuation, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and close
• Opportunity to work within a large multi-location organization with significant inventory and operational complexity
• Strong fit for an accountant looking to deepen their cost accounting expertise while gaining greater business and operational exposure