Cost Accountant (will train)

Headfarmer; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with immediate vesting

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading manufacturing organization is seeking a Cost Accountant to enhance their accounting team in Phoenix, Arizona, during a period of growth. This position provides a chance to learn from an experienced team and offers visibility across finance and operations. The ideal candidate will analyze manufacturing costs and collaborate closely with management. The organization offers competitive compensation, strong benefits, and values work-life balance in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of accounting experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis of manufacturing costs and process constraints.
• Establish and maintain labor and machine rates.
• Analyze standard vs. actual costs including variances.

Skills

Standard costing

Variance analysis

Inventory accounting

Cost review and margin analysis

Advanced Excel skills

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Tools

Large ERP system

Job description

Headfarmer is partnering with a well-established manufacturing company seeking a Cost Accountant to join their accounting team during an exciting period of sustained growth. No cost accounting experience? This is your chance to learn from a fantastic team around you!!

This position offers strong visibility across finance and operations, meaningful interaction with plant leadership, and the opportunity to make a real impact in a stable, long-term organization that values its people and work-life balance. Moreover, this role is open due to a planned retirement, allowing for knowledge transfer and a smooth transition.

What You’ll Do

• Perform ongoing analysis of manufacturing costs, margins, and process constraints
• Establish and maintain labor and machine rates
• Analyze standard vs. actual costs, including labor, overhead, and purchase price variances
• Maintain and review inventory-related balance sheet accounts
• Maintain part costs and standard costs within an ERP system
• Support inventory reduction and cost improvement initiatives
• Accumulate and apply overhead in accordance with GAAP
• Prepare monthly manufacturing variance reporting and management analysis
• Identify costing inaccuracies and act as a proactive internal check on data integrity
• Collaborate closely with finance leadership, plant managers, engineering, and purchasing
• Support audit requests related to inventory valuation and costing processes
• Help improve and monitor cost data accumulation and reporting controls

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• 3–5 years of accounting experience (manufacturing cost accounting experience from plant-based environments strongly preferred)
• Standard costing, Variance analysis, Inventory accounting & Cost review and margin analysis preferred
• Advanced Excel skills
• Experience working in a large ERP system (training available on specific platforms)
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to work independently
• Comfortable communicating with both finance leadership and plant-level operations teams

Why This Role

• Stable, privately held organization with long employee tenure
• Collaborative, down-to‑earth culture with direct access to leadership
• Meaningful work tied to real manufacturing outcomes
• Reasonable hours and flexibility — results matter more than rigid schedules
• Competitive compensation and strong benefits, including: 401(k) with immediate vesting and employer match, Medical, dental, and vision coverage, Paid time off