Cost Accountant

QPS Employment Group; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions is partnering with a Madison-based manufacturing client to hire a Cost Accountant who will drive cost control and profitability through standard costing and close collaboration with plant leadership.

This on-site, full-time role offers a competitive compensation package and opportunities to influence production costs and strategic decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years cost accounting experience in food or perishable goods manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems and inventory management software.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Knowledge of GAAP and audit requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, packaging, and overhead.
• Monitor production costs, investigate variances, and recommend profitability improvements.
• Prepare monthly cost reports, margin analyses by product, and management reporting.
• Maintain accurate inventory valuation and reconcile accounts.
• Coordinate physical and cycle counts and track raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, cost modeling, and variance analysis.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Inventory management software

Excel

Job description

Position Title: Cost AccountantWage: Based on ExperienceAre you a detail-oriented accounting professional with experience in perishable goods or food manufacturing? Our client, a growing and innovative manufacturing company in Madison, WI, is seeking a Cost Accountant to play a key role in driving operational efficiency, analyzing production costs, and supporting strategic business decisions.This highly visible position works closely with plant leadership, operations teams, and finance to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve profitability. If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoy turning data into actionable insights, we'd love to hear from you. This is a full-time, on-site, direct hire position that offers a very competitive compensation and benefits package.Cost Accountant Responsibilities:- Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, packaging, and manufacturing overhead- Monitor production costs, investigate variances, and provide actionable recommendations to improve profitability- Prepare monthly cost reports, margin analyses, and management reporting by product, customer, and production line- Maintain accurate inventory valuation, reconcile inventory accounts, and investigate discrepancies- Coordinate physical inventory counts and cycle counts while ensuring accurate tracking of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods- Partner with plant leadership and operations teams to evaluate labor, material, overhead costs, and production efficiency- Support new product costing, pricing decisions, and analysis of process, recipe, and packaging changes- Prepare inventory and manufacturing-related journal entries and support month-end and year-end close activities- Ensure compliance with GAAP, company accounting policies, and audit requirements- Assist with budgeting, forecasting, cost modeling, and variance analysis to support strategic planningRequirements for Cost Accountant:- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field- 3-5 years of cost accounting experience within a food or perishable goods manufacturing environment- Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis- Experience working with ERP systems and inventory management software- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities- Excellent communication skills and attention to detailIND345Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions has the resources of a large company but the feel and personalized customer service of a small one. And our specialized recruiting services mean you don’t just find a job. You find a role that helps you advance your career and achieve your goals – fast.Best of all, our job matching and resume assistance services are 100% free to job seekers! We will never ask you to pay a fee.Please note that Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions may use a virtual recruiting assistant to help screen and schedule candidates efficiently. All information collected through this process is used solely for employment purposes and is handled securely in accordance with our privacy policy.