Cost Accountant

The Panther Group; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Panther Group is seeking a Cost Accountant for a manufacturing client to support cost accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, and internal controls. This role partners with site leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver financial insights and drive operational performance.

Responsibilities include analyzing margins and costs, supporting budgeting, inventory valuation, journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end close, while ensuring compliance with accounting policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP systems; EPICOR preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and communicate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Analyze margins, manufacturing costs, overhead absorption, and financial variances.
• Support forecasting, budgeting, and cost fluctuation analysis.
• Prepare cost reports and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Support inventory valuation, cycle counts, audits, and analysis of work-in-process and finished goods.
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and monthly close activities.
• Ensure accurate expense classification and compliance with accounting policies and internal controls.
• Prepare consolidation reports, audit schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Collaborate with operations, supply chain, HR, and sales to support business decisions.
• Assist with system implementations, process improvements, and ad hoc financial analysis.
• Perform additional accounting duties as needed.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder communication

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

EPICOR

Microsoft Office

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Our client, a manufacturing company specializing in engineered cable assemblies and interconnect solutions, is seeking a Cost Accountant to support cost accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, and internal controls. This role partners closely with site leadership and cross-functional teams to provide financial insights and support operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Analyze margins, manufacturing costs, overhead absorption, and financial variances.
• Support forecasting, budgeting, and cost fluctuation analysis.
• Prepare cost reports and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Support inventory valuation, cycle counts, audits, and analysis of work-in-process and finished goods.
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and monthly close activities.
• Ensure accurate expense classification and compliance with accounting policies and internal controls.
• Prepare consolidation reports, audit schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Collaborate with operations, supply chain, HR, and sales to support business decisions.
• Assist with system implementations, process improvements, and ad hoc financial analysis.
• Perform additional accounting duties as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP systems; EPICOR preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and communicate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders.