Cost Accounting Analyst

JOA Human Resources; Sheboygan Falls (WI); On-site; USD 83,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

JOA Human Resources is seeking a Cost Accounting Analyst to support manufacturing cost accounting, job costing, budgeting, and financial analysis. You will collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Project Management to provide cost visibility, profitability insights, and budget input.

The role involves standard costing, forecasting support, and monitoring project profitability, with opportunities to drive cost improvement initiatives and enhance financial reporting across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting is required.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• 6+ years cost accounting and analysis experience.
• Strong data analytics and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Excel and Word.
• Experience with ERP system conversions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost improvement initiatives, including reviews, reconciliations and updates.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering and Sales for cost visibility and profitability analysis.
• Support standard costing and general ledger activities.
• Assist job costing for major projects, kits and parts.
• Develop and validate costing information for quotations with Sales.

Skills

Data analytics

Creative problem solving

Excel

Word

Presentation to managers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

TCM (Workwise)

Job description

Job Summary:

The Cost Accounting Analyst supports manufacturing cost accounting, job costing, budgeting, and financial analysis activities. This role partners with Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Project Management to provide cost visibility, profitability analysis, budget input, and strategic financial insights. Responsibilities include standard costing, supporting forecasting and budgeting processes, monitoring project profitability, driving cost improvement initiatives, analysis of operating metrics and related financial reporting.

Job Responsibilities & Essential Functions of the Job:

Cost Improvement & Compliance

• Lead and manage cost improvement initiatives, including cost reviews, reconciliations, audits, and product costing updates.
• Support R&D activities and tax opportunities and assess new product return on investment.
• Support internal and external audit activities as required.

Business Partnership & Profitability Analysis

• Conduct customer profitability analyses and present findings to management.
• Assist Project Managers with forecast-versus-actual cost and profitability reviews.
• Serve as the financial business partner for SG&A departments by providing financial guidance and analysis.
• Support operational and strategic decision-making through financial and profitability reporting.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Analysis

• Support the standard costing process and related general ledger activities.
• Support job costing for major machine projects, kits, and spare parts.
• Analyze operation cost variances and evaluate labor and overhead standard rates.
• Conduct profitability analysis for customer projects and recommend margin improvement opportunities
• Partner with the Sales team to develop and validate costing information for customer quotations.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Reporting

• Support annual operating budget process.
• Evaluate labor capacity requirements based on sales forecasts and production plans.
• Calculate and maintain departmental cost allocations.
• Perform monthly budget-to-actual analysis and work with operational management to identify improvement opportunities

Other Responsibilities

• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned to support organizational objectives.
• Support contemplated ERP system conversion as required.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting required
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred but not required
• Requires 6+ years of relevant cost accounting and analysis experience.
• Ability to apply a high degree of data analytics and creative problem solving.
• Requires a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications including Excel and Word.
• Will utilize TCM (Workwise) software
• Must have ability to develop, write and follow procedures
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from other managers, external auditors and outside regulatory agencies