Cost Accountant

Kurt J Lesker Company; Jefferson Hills (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

On-site gym

EV charging stations

Wellness programs

Job summary

Kurt J Lesker Company is seeking a detail-oriented Cost Accountant to maintain accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting in a manufacturing setting. You will partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance to provide actionable insights that improve profitability and efficiency.

The role emphasizes cost analysis, variance tracking, inventory controls, and month-end close support, with opportunities to enhance ERP processes and reporting using D365

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance.
• 4+ years accounting experience, including inventory costing.
• Strong cost accounting and inventory accounting knowledge.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) for inventory and cost transactions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Advanced Excel skills: Pivot Tables, Lookups, data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze product costs, including labor, material, and overhead rates.
• Prepare cost reports and analyses to support decision-making.
• Analyze production results, inventory movements, and gross margin performance.
• Assist forecasting and budgeting of standard product costs.
• Perform monthly variance analysis and investigate cost fluctuations.
• Review inventory transactions and support physical counts and audits.
• Prepare journal entries and reconciliations for month-end close.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to improve costing processes and reporting.
• Support ERP enhancements in D365 Finance & Operations.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Power BI

Job description

Are you a detail-oriented accounting professional with experience in manufacturing environments? We’re looking for a Cost Accountant to play a key role in maintaining accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and operational financial reporting. This position partners closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance teams to provide insights that drive profitability, efficiency, and informed business decisions.

Key Job Elements:

• Maintain and analyze costs, including labor, material, and overhead rates
• Prepare cost reports and analyses to support operational and financial decision-making
• Analyze production results, inventory movements, and gross margin performance
• Support forecasting and budgeting of standard product costs
• Other duties as assigned

Variance Analysis

• Perform monthly manufacturing variance analysis, comparing actual to costs
• Investigate significant cost fluctuations and provide practical recommendations for corrective action
• Track variances against budget and prior periods to identify trends and drive efficiencies

Inventory Accounting

• Review and monitor inventory transactions to ensure proper accounting treatment
• Support physical inventory counts, cycle count programs, and inventory audits
• Reconcile inventory accounts, maintain inventory reserves, and ensure accurate valuation across Raw Materials, WIP, and Finished Goods
• Provide guidance on inventory procedures and controls

Month-End Close Support

• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end/year-end closing activities related to inventory and cost accounting
• Maintain strong internal controls and accurate, audit-ready documentation

  Manufacturing & Operational Business Partnering

  • Serve as a key finance partner to Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing teams
  • Identify and lead opportunities to improve costing processes, reporting, and internal controls
  • Support ERP enhancements and reporting improvements within D365 Finance & Operations, including the Cost Management, Inventory Management, and Production Control modules
  • Contribute to continuous improvement and process automation initiatives (e.g. Power Automate)

  Qualifications:

  Required

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting / Finance
  • 4+ years of accounting experience, including inventory costing, preferably within a manufacturing environment
  • Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and inventory accounting.
  • Experience working within Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) for inventory and cost transactions
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, Lookups, and data analysis functions

  Preferred

  • Power BI experience for reporting and dashboard development
  • Experience in a multi-entity or multi-currency accounting environment

  We Offer:

  • Competitive compensation
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Paid time off and employee recognition programs
  • On-site gym, wellness programs, and walking trails
  • Electric vehicle charging stations and sustainability initiatives
  • A collaborative, people-first culture

  Kurt J Lesker Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. KJLC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities (unless doing so will result in undue hardship). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to our human resources department at [e-mail] or call [phone] to provide the nature of your request.