Cost Accountant

Saigepartners; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Saigepartners in Cresco, IA is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to support multi-site manufacturing, ensuring accurate product costing and actionable financial analysis.

You will partner with Manufacturing, Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to drive cost integrity, profitability, and cost-structure improvements; requires manufacturing cost accounting expertise and a continuous improvement mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3+ years of manufacturing cost accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of standard costing, BOM structures, and inventory accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills and ERP experience (manufacturing systems preferred).

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update standard costs for products, materials, labor, and overhead.
• Analyze manufacturing variances (material usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption) and provide actionable insights.
• Prepare cost roll-ups, margin analyses, and cost impact assessments for new and existing products.
• Forecast manufacturing costs, overhead allocations, and inventory trends.
• Support strategic cost planning and profitability initiatives.
• Conduct weekly WIP, inventory valuation, and COGS reconciliations.
• Lead physical inventory counts and oversee cycle count reviews.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies related to materials, production orders, and finished goods.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close, including entries for COGS, WIP, scrap, labor, overhead, and finished goods by plant and product line.
• Prepare and present cost reports, dashboards, and variance explanations to senior leadership.

Skills

Advanced Excel skills

ERP experience

Manufacturing cost accounting

BOM structures

Education

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

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

## Cost Accountant**Cresco,IA**Posted: 02/24/2026Employment Type:PermanentIndustry: ManufacturingJob Number: 6785Pay Rate: 80000## Job DescriptionWe strive to be Your Future, Your Solution to accelerate your career!Contact Nick Polutnik at [e-mail], you can also schedule an appointment at https://calendly.com/npolutnik-saigepartners/30min?month=2026-01 to learn more about this opportunity! **Senior Cost Accountant** *Manufacturing Operations*### Position OverviewWe are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Senior Cost Accountant to support multi-site manufacturing operations.In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring accurate product costing, delivering meaningful financial analysis, and providing operational insights that drive strategic decision-making. You will partner closely with Manufacturing, Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to strengthen cost integrity, improve profitability, and optimize overall cost structure.The ideal candidate brings strong manufacturing cost accounting expertise, analytical depth, and a proactive mindset focused on continuous improvement.---### Key Responsibilities**Costing & Analysis*** Maintain and update standard costs for products, materials, labor, and overhead* Analyze manufacturing variances (material usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption) and provide actionable insights* Prepare cost roll-ups, margin analyses, and cost impact assessments for new and existing products* Forecast manufacturing costs, overhead allocations, and inventory trends* Support strategic cost planning and profitability initiatives**Inventory & Reporting*** Conduct weekly WIP, inventory valuation, and COGS reconciliations* Lead physical inventory counts and oversee cycle count reviews* Investigate and resolve discrepancies related to materials, production orders, and finished goods* Assist with month-end and year-end close, including entries for COGS, WIP, scrap, labor, overhead, and finished goods by plant and product line* Prepare and present cost reports, dashboards, and variance explanations to senior leadership**Process Improvement & Controls*** Collaborate cross-functionally to improve costing accuracy and operational efficiency* Enhance costing methodologies, reporting tools, and ERP workflows* Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting standards, and audit requirements* Support internal and external audits with cost and inventory documentation---### Qualifications* Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field* 3+ years of manufacturing cost accounting experience* Strong knowledge of standard costing, BOM structures, and inventory accounting* Advanced Excel skills and ERP experience (manufacturing systems preferred)* Experience in multi-site or complex manufacturing environments preferred* Exposure to cost optimization, lean manufacturing, or process improvement initiatives---### Core Competencies* Financial & Analytical Rigor* Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking* Cross-Functional Collaboration* Process Orientation & Continuous Improvement* Strong Communication Skills* High Integrity & Accountability