Cost Accountant (#8542)

NextDeavor; East Helena (MT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NextDeavor is seeking a Cost Accountant to own comprehensive cost data across manufacturing, support hedging activities for copper, and contribute to margin visibility. You will partner with operations, production, and trading to optimize cost controls and reporting.

The role supports month-end close, inventory valuation, and cost allocations, with opportunities to implement ERP-driven insights and improve processes. Montana-based manufacturing focus with collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in accounting or finance.
• 2+ years cost accounting in manufacturing (preferred).
• 2+ years exposure to futures trading, hedging operations, or risk management (preferred).
• Strong inventory valuation, cost allocations, and WIP reconciliations.
• Proficient in Excel; familiarity with reporting tools; experience with Crystal Reports, Dynamics GP/Great Plains is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze production costs by product, production run, and customer for margin analysis.
• Track material, labor, and overhead costs at batch/order level; reconcile WIP and finished goods.
• Identify cost trends, inefficiencies, and variances; drive continuous improvement with operations.
• Support month-end close processes including inventory valuation and cost allocations.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools and ERP integrations to surface cost insights.
• Coordinate futures contracts to hedge copper price exposure.
• Monitor hedge effectiveness and reconcile positions with broker statements.
• Reconcile physical inventories and sales orders to open hedge positions weekly.
• Serve as backup for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general accounting as needed.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Inventory valuation

WIP reconciliations

Excel

ERP (Dynamics GP / Great Plains)

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Crystal Reports

Microsoft Dynamics GP / Great Plains

Job description

Become a Key Player as a Cost Accountant

You will ensure accurate manufacturing cost data and lead commodity hedging activities to protect margins. You will partner with operations, production, accounting, and trading stakeholders to deliver actionable cost visibility and effective hedge execution. This role supports month-end close, reporting, and operational decision-making.

Here’s How You'll Make an Impact on the Team

• Maintain and analyze production costs by product, production run, and customer to support margin analysis.
• Track material, labor, and overhead costs at the batch/order level and reconcile WIP and finished goods.
• Identify cost trends, inefficiencies, and variances; drive continuous improvement with operations and production teams.
• Support month-end close processes including inventory valuation, cost allocations, and reconciliations.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools and ERP integrations to surface insights on yield losses, downtime, material usage, and customer profitability.
• Coordinate purchase, sale, and management of futures contracts to hedge copper price exposure.
• Monitor market conditions, analyze hedge effectiveness, reconcile hedge positions to broker statements, and ensure compliance with policies.
• Reconcile physical inventories and the sales order book to open hedge positions on a weekly basis.
• Serve as backup for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general accounting as needed.

Here’s What You'll Need to Be Successful in This Role

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance (required).
• 2+ years of experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment (preferred).
• 2+ years of exposure to futures trading, hedging operations, or risk management (preferred).
• Strong ability to perform inventory valuation, cost allocations, and WIP reconciliations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and familiarity with reporting tools; experience with Crystal Reports, Microsoft Dynamics GP / Great Plains is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to interpret written and verbal instructions and produce accurate reconciliations.

Here’s What Else Might Help You Out

• CPA or CMA certification.
• Prior experience in commodity trading or manufacturing hedging operations.
• Experience refining cost tracking processes and integrating cost data into ERP systems.

Ready to Make Your Mark?