Cost Accountant 1

Seneca Foods Corporation; Payette (ID); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Seneca Foods Corporation is seeking a Cost Accountant to maintain and analyze cost data across materials, labor, and overhead within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

You will work closely with operations, production, and finance to track costs, perform variance analysis, and support daily reporting and month/year-end closings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2+ years cost accounting experience in manufacturing (food manufacturing preferred).
• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, GEM, or similar).
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, financial modeling, and macros.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and inventory valuation methods (FIFO, LIFO, standard costing).

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for raw materials, labor, and overhead.
• Conduct variance analysis (material, labor, and overhead) and report discrepancies.
• Assist in preparing cost estimates for new products, capital projects, and process changes.
• Assist Plant Controller with costing and analysis projects to support financial decisions.
• Monitor and reconcile inventory valuation, including raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Track and report production costs to ensure accuracy in financial statements.
• Reconcile raw material usage and resolve discrepancies.
• Support daily operational tracking and reporting activities.
• Prepare accurate financial reports for internal management review.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to cost accounting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal policies.
• Prepare general ledger journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Manage taxes, including state and local tax compliance and reporting.
• Handle cash transactions and ensure proper cash handling procedures.
• Administer company purchase card program with accounting and purchasing.
• Organize and coordinate meals for meetings and plant events.
• Support accounts payable and provide back-up assistance as needed.
• Assist management with cross-functional projects and internal controls improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting tools and streamline costing procedures.
• Assist in audit preparation and ensure accuracy of cost accounting records.

Skills

Cost accounting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/related field

Tools

SAP

GEM

Excel

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Job description

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Seneca Foods is one of North America's leading providers of packaged fruits and vegetables with facilities located throughout the United States. Our high quality products are primarily sourced from over 1,400 American farms. Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries. Products are also sold under the brands of Libby’s®, Aunt Nellie’s®, READ®, Seneca Farms®, Green Valley®, Green Giant (Shelf-Stable)®, CherryMan®, Paradise®, Pennant®, and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips. Seneca also provides vegetable products to other companies under various co-pack arrangements.

Job Overview:

The Cost Accountantreports to the Plant Controller and will be responsible for maintaining and analyzing cost-related financial data to ensure accurate reporting and informed decision-making. This individual will work closely with operations, production, and finance teams to track costs, monitor variances, support daily operational reporting, and assist in various finance and administrative tasks. The ideal candidate will have experience in food manufacturing, strong analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Analysis & Cost Management:

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for raw materials, labor, and overhead.
• Conduct variance analysis (material, labor, and overhead) and report discrepancies.
• Assist in preparing cost estimates for new products, capital projects, and process changes.
• Assist Plant Controller with costing and analysis projects to support financial decision-making.

Inventory & Production Costing:

• Monitor and reconcile inventory valuation, including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
• Track and report production costs to ensure accuracy in financial statements.
• Reconcile raw material usage and resolve discrepancies.
• Support daily operational tracking and reporting activities.

Reporting & Compliance:

• Prepare accurate financial reports for internal management review.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to cost accounting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal company policies.

Administrative & Operational Support:

• Prepare general ledger journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Manage taxes, including state and local tax compliance and reporting.
• Handle cash transactions and ensure proper cash handling procedures.
• Administer company purchase card program in coordination with accounting and purchasing.
• Organize and coordinate meals for meetings and plant events.
• Support accounts payable and provide back-up assistance as needed.
• Assist management with a variety of cross‑functional projects and initiatives.
• Collaborate with corporate and plant management to enhance costing processes and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting tools and streamline accounting procedures.
• Assist in audit preparation and ensure accuracy of cost accounting records.

QUALIFICATIONS

Technical & Analytical Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 2+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment (food manufacturing preferred).
• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, GEM, or similar).
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, financial modeling, and macros.
• Intermediate proficiency in Adobe Acrobat Pro (PDF creation, editing, annotation, form creation, digital signatures, security settings).
• Strong knowledge of GAAP principles and inventory valuation methods (FIFO, LIFO, standard costing).

Problem‑Solving & Decision‑Making:

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and make informed decisions aligned with company policies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams and under tight deadlines.

Adaptability & Work Ethic:

• Willingness to work overtime or weekends when necessary.
• Strong organizational skills and commitment to accuracy.
• Positive, proactive attitude and a continuous improvement mindset.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., as needed.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving history (subject to verification via company DMV history check).
• High level of integrity with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information responsibly.
• Bilingual in Spanish (desirable, but not required)

Seneca Foods Corporation is committed to providing equal opportunity for all, through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. Seneca Foods Corporation will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact us at [e-mail] or call 585-495-4100.