Cost Accountant, Senior

Thecentermemphis; Memphis, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) matching

St Jude Partnership & Volunteer

Job summary

Varsity Spirit in Memphis, TN and Farmers Branch, TX seeks a Senior Cost Accountant to deliver cost analysis, budgeting, and process improvements. Hybrid role requiring 4 in-office days and 1 day remote, collaborating with Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance leaders to optimize profitability across product lines.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years in accounting with 3+ years in cost accounting, strong Excel and ERP skills, and a proven ability to drive cost-reduction initiatives in a

Qualifications

• Strong cost accounting and inventory valuation knowledge.
• Ability to analyze large data sets and communicate findings.
• Knowledge of financial statements and cost impacts.
• Advanced Excel modeling skills.
• Experience with ERP and financial reporting tools.
• Ability to build cross-functional partnerships.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinking and proactive issue resolution.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Maintain standard costs for materials, labor, overhead and freight.
• Analyze product costs, variances and gross margin trends.
• Prepare monthly cost, inventory, margin and variance reports.
• Perform variance analyses: inventory, COGS, labor, overhead, and expenses.
• Partner with Ops, Supply Chain, Procurement, Accounting and Finance on cost reductions.
• Support inventory valuation, reserves, accruals and month-end close.
• Develop pricing, sourcing, make-vs-buy and profitability models.
• Monitor cost trends and inventory exposure, flag risks.
• Support budgets, long-range planning and financial modeling.
• Assist audits with documentation and schedules.
• Improve reporting processes and decision-support tools.
• Collaborate across functions to align financial and operational goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory valuation

Variance analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Excel

ERP systems

Finance partnering

Financial modeling

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA/CMA helpful

Tools

ERP systems

Power BI / BI tools

Excel (advanced)

Job description

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE, BAND AND YEARBOOK

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, performing arts and yearbook. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, competitions, and yearbook, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

At Varsity Spirit, the safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Since our inception 50 years ago, we have been – and remain – steadfastly committed to doing our part to create a safe and positive environment for our participants’ physical, emotional, and social development, and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. Varsity has a zero tolerance for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities. Varsity is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws and reporting requirements. Learn more at Our Commitment to Safety - Varsity.com.

LOCATION: Memphis, TN or Farmers Branch, TX

WORK TYPE: Hybrid ( 4 days in office / 1 day remote)

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

The Senior Cost Accountant is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial analysis related to product costing, inventory valuation, gross margin performance, operating expenses, and cost optimization opportunities. This role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Accounting, and Finance leadership to analyze cost drivers, explain variances, support budgeting and forecasting activities, and provide insights that improve profitability and business performance.

In this role, you are expected to think strategically by identifying emerging risks, anticipating cost and margin issues, investigating root causes, recommending practical solutions, and influencing cross-functional stakeholders to take corrective action. The role serves as a key business partner supporting financial decision-making and operational excellence.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Maintain and analyze standard costs, including materials, labor, overhead, freight, and other cost components.
• Analyze product costs, actual costs, standard costs, and gross margin performance to identify trends, variances, and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare monthly cost, inventory, margin, and variance reporting with clear explanations of business drivers and financial impacts.
• Perform variance analysis related to inventory, cost of goods sold, labor, overhead, freight, operating expenses, and purchase price variances.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Accounting, and Finance to identify cost reduction opportunities and improve operational efficiency.
• Support inventory valuation processes, reserves, reconciliations, accruals, journal entries, and month-end close activities.
• Develop financial models to support pricing decisions, sourcing initiatives, make-versus-buy analyses, product profitability evaluations, and operational improvements.
• Monitor cost trends, margin performance, and inventory exposure to proactively identify risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Support annual budgets, long-range planning, forecasting, and financial modeling activities.
• Assist with internal and external audit requests by providing documentation, analysis, and supporting schedules.
• Continuously improve reporting processes, analytical tools, controls, and decision-support capabilities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment between financial objectives and operational execution.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong understanding of cost accounting principles, inventory valuation methodologies, standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Ability to analyze large data sets, identify trends, interpret results, and communicate findings effectively.
• Knowledge of financial statements and the operational impact of cost accounting decisions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, including advanced analytical and modeling capabilities.
• Experience with ERP systems, financial reporting tools, and business intelligence platforms.
• Ability to build strong partnerships with both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and proactive approach to identifying and resolving business issues.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in accounting with at least 3 years in cost accounting, financial analysis, manufacturing finance, inventory accounting, FP&A, or a related finance function.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, inventory valuation, forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience working with ERP systems and financial reporting platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, apparel, consumer products, or other inventory-intensive industries.
• Experience with standard costing, bills of materials, routings, purchase price variances, freight analysis, and inventory reserves.
• CPA, CMA, or progress toward professional certification preferred.
• Experience developing dashboards, automated reports, or analytical tools.
• Prior experience supporting audits, SOX compliance, or internal controls.

Success Indicators

• Accurate and timely completion of cost, inventory, margin, and variance reporting.
• Clear identification and communication of key cost drivers, opportunities, and financial risks.
• Measurable contribution to cost reduction, margin expansion, and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Effective collaboration and business partnership across Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Accounting, and Finance.
• Proactive identification, escalation, and resolution of financial and operational issues.
• Continuous improvement of reporting processes, controls, documentation, and analytical tools.
• High-quality financial analysis that supports business decision-making and profitability improvement.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct reports.

Physical Demands and/or Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. It is largely a sedentary role requiring the ability to work at a computer for extended periods. Occasional filing may require lifting files, opening filing cabinets, and bending or reaching as necessary. This role is expected to work primarily onsite 4 days/week in the Memphis office and 1 day remote.

Travel

Travel is minimal; occasional out-of-area or overnight travel may be required.

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Access to Financial Coaching and member-owned Credit Union
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.