Cost Accounting Manager

Korn Ferry; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry is partnering with our client in Chicago to hire a Cost Accountant who will partner with finance, manufacturing, production, and warehouse teams to strengthen standard costing, inventory accuracy, and cost accounting processes.

The role requires 3+ years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing, preferably in food, beverage, or CPG sectors, with advanced Excel and ERP skills. You will help drive cost improvements and operate in a fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on with standard costing, BOMs, inventory accounting and manufacturing cost accounting.
• Strong understanding of cost rolls, variance analysis, inventory reconciliation, and month-end accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP/accounting systems.

Responsibilities

• Standard costing and BOM management, establishing and maintaining costs for items.
• Lead cost accounting activities: cost rolls, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and COGS reporting.
• Reconcile inventory across facilities and warehouses, investigate discrepancies and drive resolution.

Skills

Standard costing

BOM management

Inventory accounting

Manufacturing cost accounting

Cost rolls

Variance analysis

Inventory reconciliation

Month-end accounting

Excel

ERP systems

prioritization

Decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

3+ years of cost accounting experience

Manufacturing experience in food, beverage, or CPG

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

We have partnered with our client in their search for a Cost Accountant. This is an opportunity to join a high-growth CPG and food manufacturing organization where the Cost Accountant will partner closely with finance, manufacturing, production, and warehouse teams to strengthen standard costing, inventory accuracy, and cost accounting processes.

Responsibilities

• standard costing and BOM management, including establishing, validating, and maintaining costs for new and existing items.
• Lead recurring cost accounting activities, including cost rolls, variance analysis, cost updates, inventory valuation, and COGS reporting.
• Reconcile inventory across manufacturing facilities and internal/external warehouse locations, investigating discrepancies and driving issues to resolution.
• Partner with plant, production, purchasing, supply chain, and warehouse teams on month-end inventory counts, valuation, and reporting.
• Support profitability analysis and identify opportunities to improve cost controls, inventory accuracy, and operational processes.
• Work closely with senior finance leadership while managing multiple priorities in a fast-moving, high-growth environment.

Skills Required

• Hands-on experience with standard costing, BOMs, inventory accounting, and manufacturing cost accounting.
• Strong understanding of cost rolls, variance analysis, inventory reconciliation, and month-end accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large datasets and ERP/accounting systems.
• Strong prioritization, organization, initiative, and executive functioning.
• Ability to manage numerous projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Comfortable making decisions quickly, taking ownership, and driving execution.
• Someone who will "thrive on the build" and can bring structure to a growing and evolving environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to partner across finance, plant operations, manufacturing, and warehouse teams.

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3+ years of cost accounting experience.
• Manufacturing experience strongly preferred, with food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing experience particularly valuable.

Title

Cost Accountant

Location

Chicago, IL

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com