Cost Accounting Advisor

Cardinal Health; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardinal Health is seeking a skilled Cost Accountant to support manufacturing finance and inventory operations. You will analyze costs, maintain standard product costs, and assist with month-end close while partnering with Operations and Supply Chain.

The role requires 4–8 years in cost accounting in manufacturing, strong Excel skills, and experience with SAP or Oracle ERP systems. Excellent analytical ability and independent work style are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting is required; advanced degree or certification is preferred.
• 4–8 years of experience in Cost Accounting, Manufacturing Finance, Financial Analysis, or Inventory Accounting.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment and strong cost accounting knowledge are highly desirable.
• Proficient in Excel; experience with SAP/Oracle or similar ERP systems is preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills; ability to work with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Ensure proper application of internal controls and cost accounting policies related to inventory.
• Prepare detailed inventory reconciliations and investigate variances.
• Analyze manufacturing variances by cost element and track absorption and costs.
• Maintain standard product costs and support cost projections for new products.
• Participate in month-end/year-end close, journal entries, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and KPI reporting; provide financial guidance to site leadership.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering and other Finance teams.
• Assist internal and external audits and ensure policy compliance.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Inventory accounting

Excel proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Advanced degree or professional certification

Tools

SAP

Oracle

ERP systems

Job description

What Financial Planning & Analysis contributes to Cardinal Health

Finance oversees the accounting, tax, financial plans and policies of the organization, establishes and maintains fiscal controls, prepares and interprets financial reports, oversees financial systems, and safeguards the organization’s assets.Cost Accounting provides financial analysis and support to manufacturing and supply chain operations, ensuring accurate product costing, inventory valuation, financial controls, and visibility into manufacturing performance. This role partners cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other Finance teams to provide actionable insights that support business decisions and drive operational and financial performance.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the proper application of internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures related to cost accounting and inventory management.
• Prepare detailed inventory reconciliations by comparing perpetual inventory records against General Ledger inventory accounts, investigate variances, and ensure accurate inventory balances.
• Analyze manufacturing variances by cost element, including labor, burden/overhead, materials, and manufacturing support.
• Analyze production volumes, trends, capacity utilization, and their impact on absorption and manufacturing costs.
• Maintain, analyze, and support standard product costs, including annual standard cost updates and cost roll activities.
• Prepare standard cost projections for new products, product transfers, and products under development.
• Participate in month-end and year-end closing activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, financial analysis, and reporting.
• Prepare and analyze operating expenses versus budget and forecast, identifying significant variances and providing explanations and recommendations.
• Prepare financial forecasts for the site as required and support the annual budgeting process.
• Prepare and submit financial and operational reports reflecting plant performance and key business results.
• Support the preparation, monitoring, and analysis of key financial and operational indicators (KPIs).
• Participate in annual physical inventory counts, cycle counts, and other inventory-related activities required by the site.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies, obsolete and excess inventory, scrap, purchase price variances, and other cost-related issues as applicable.
• Validate cost-saving and expense-reduction projects and evaluate their financial impact.
• Provide financial guidance and analytical support to Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, and site leadership.
• Serve as a key Finance point of contact for manufacturing and operational teams at the site.
• Support internal and external audit requirements by preparing documentation, reconciliations, and financial support as needed.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, and applicable accounting standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives using DMAIC and other process-improvement methodologies.
• Provide guidance and technical support to team members and may mentor less-experienced colleagues.
• Perform ad hoc financial analyses and support special projects as required.
• Comply with all applicable safety, environmental, and company requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
• Advanced degree or relevant professional certification preferred.
• 4–8 years of relevant experience in Cost Accounting, Manufacturing Finance, Financial Analysis, Inventory Accounting, or a related area.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting principles, standard costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing variances, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Experience with month-end closing, account reconciliations, journal entries, and General Ledger analysis.
• Experience supporting physical inventories and inventory reconciliation processes.
• Experience supporting internal and/or external audits preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with ERP and financial systems.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP systems preferred.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as DMAIC, Lean, or Six Sigma is preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Intermediate to Advanced English proficiency required.

What is expected of you and others at this level:

• Applies comprehensive knowledge and a thorough understanding of concepts, principles, and technical capabilities to perform varied tasks and projects.
• Works independently on complex projects of significant scope and receives general guidance on new assignments.
• Analyzes complex financial and operational issues and develops practical, effective solutions.
• Contributes to the development and improvement of policies, procedures, and financial processes.
• Provides recommendations based on financial analysis and business insights.
• Collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders and communicates financial information effectively to both Finance and non-Finance audiences.
• Ensures solutions and recommendations are consistent with organizational objectives.
• Completes assigned work independently and is accountable for meeting established objectives and deadlines.
• May provide guidance or mentorship to less-experienced colleagues.
• Candidates who are back-to-work, people with disabilities, without a college degree, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.
• Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background.
• We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day.
• Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.