Cost Accountant (Rhinelander, WI)

Ahlstrom-5; Rhinelander (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ahlstrom is seeking a Cost Accountant for our Rhinelander plant to provide cost and inventory accounting support, participate in the monthly close, assist with budgeting, and supply data for operating budgets. You will help manufacturing teams analyze costs and improve efficiency while ensuring compliance with internal controls.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance, 3+ years in cost/general accounting, and knowledge of tools like HFM, JDE, SAP, Optimill, and Excel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 3+ years of business analysis, cost accounting and general accounting experience.
• Knowledge of financial tools and systems (HFM, JDE, SAP, Optimill, Microsoft Office).
• Advanced Excel skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Must follow manufacturing processes and policies to meet safety, quality, and regulatory requirements for each grade of paper.
• Perform month end close duties including analytics for Inventories, Utilities, Accruals, Fixed Assets, Work Orders, and PPV Caps.
• Monitor and analyze work order variances and troubleshoot discrepancies.
• Develop and analyze inventory reports and variances; oversee transactions.
• Implement/update cost standards and maintain branch plant locations.
• Prepare and analyze daily production reports; lead physical inventory counts.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts to the general ledger; manage fixed assets and depreciation.
• Assist annual operating plan development and participate in audits.
• Communicate cost information and potential savings to manufacturing management.

Skills

Cost accounting

Business analysis

General accounting

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

HFM

JDE

SAP

Optimill

Microsoft Office

Job description

Requisition ID5723-Posted08/04/2026-Finance-Rhinelander- Posting Country (1)

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people,like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth.
Do your values align with ours? Accountability, Growth mindset, One team,Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere!
We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business. Are you with us?!?

The Cost Accountant is responsible for providing cost and inventory accounting support for the Rhinelander plant, preparing internal financial statements, participating in the monthly close process, assisting with the budgeting process, providing manufacturing personnel with data required to develop operating budgets and understand operating costs. This position is expected to assist in maximizing the efficiency of financial systems.

Cost Accountant responsibilities including the following:

• Must follow Ahlstrom's manufacturing and hygiene processes, procedures and policies, as applicable, to the position's areas of responsibility, in order to meet and maintain the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements for each grade of paper.
• Perform month end close duties including analytics necessary for preparing journal entries related to Inventories (Raw, Storeroom and FG), Utilities, Accruals, Fixed Assets, Work Orders, and PPV Caps
• Monitor and analyze work order variances; diagnose causes of production (work order) variances; troubleshoot and correct any discrepancies
• Develop and analyze inventory reports and variances; understand/oversee transactions to ensure proper accounting of transactions; troubleshoot root causes of discrepancies
• Implement/update cost standards
• Maintain and test new branch plant locations
• Prepare and analyze daily production reports
• Lead physical inventory counts for the plant including monthly cycle counts and year end physicals
• Reconcile various balance sheet accounts to the general ledger
• Record, monitor and track fixed assets (both newly acquired and existing) in the fixed asset systems (Fatman/RAM); track the compilation of project costs into the FA accounts and close out accounts timely; perform accounting for the disposition of fixed assets; calculate depreciation; conduct analyses related to fixed assets as requested
• Assist the annual standard revision process and provide support for parts of the annual operating plan development
• Adhere to internal controls and participate in audits
• Analyze and propose potential cost saving opportunities
• Communicate cost information and analysis with manufacturing management
• All other assignments assigned by management

This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions and may not necessarily comprise all the "essential functions" for purposes of the ADA.

Education and Experience requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required
• 3+ years of business analysis, cost accounting and general accounting experience
• Knowledge of financial tools and systems (HFM, JDE, SAP, Optimill, Microsoft office tools)
• Advanced Excel skills preferred

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

About Us.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.