Cost Accounting Manager

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services is seeking an Accounting Manager for a public company in the cost/manufacturing sector. The role focuses on cost accounting operations, inventory valuation, and manufacturing financial reporting, ensuring accurate product costing and profitability analysis.

You will lead a team, own the month-end close, ensure audit readiness, and collaborate with operations to drive cost controls and margin improvements while maintaining GAAP compliance and ERP data

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Experience with POC accounting, long-term contracts, revenue recognition (ASC 606).
• Public company experience preferred.
• Epicor ERP experience preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills required.

Responsibilities

• Own the month-end close for cost accounting and manufacturing statements.
• Manage cost variances, COGS, and margins; provide explanations to management.
• Oversee inventory valuation reporting and ERP data integrity.
• Support audit readiness and internal controls across cost and inventory.
• Develop reports and dashboards for operational profitability insights.

Skills

Cost accounting

Team leadership

GAAP knowledge

Variance analysis

Financial reporting

Tools

Epicor ERP

Excel

Job description

Accounting Manager (public co., cost/manufacturing industry)

Compensation = $180,000 - $200,000 + 10% bonus

This role is responsible for the day-to-day execution of cost accounting operations, inventory valuation, and manufacturing financial reporting. This role ensures accurate product costing, monitors inventory transactions, analyzes manufacturing variances, and supports operational leadership with financial insights to improve profitability and cost control.

This role will manage a team of accounting staff and oversee month-end, year-end, audit readiness, and integrity of financial statements.

General Ledger & Financial Reporting

• Own the month-end close process, including preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations, and accruals.


• Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts within ERP systems across business unit, ensuring accuracy and proper classification of all transactions.


• Prepare and review monthly financial statements and supporting schedules for Controller review. Ensure close activities are completed on schedule; identify and resolve bottlenecks proactively.


• Maintain and improve close checklists, reconciliation templates, and supporting documentation.

Cost Accounting & Analysis

• Manage all cost accounting activities for manufacturing operations including review of variances.


• Analyze material, labor, and overhead variances and provide explanations to management. Monitor cost of goods sold (COGS) and product margins.


• Conduct product cost analysis and profitability reporting.


• Identify and support cost reduction initiatives and operational efficiency improvements.

Percentage-of-Completion Accounting

• Own percentage-of-completion (POC) accounting for applicable long-term contracts and programs, ensuring revenue and cost recognition is accurate, supportable, and consistent with company accounting policies and applicable U.S. GAAP


• Review contract terms, performance obligations, funding, modifications, and other relevant program data to support appropriate revenue recognition and accounting treatment.


• Partner with Program Management, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance to develop, review, and maintain estimates at completion (EAC), estimates to complete (ETC), and program cost forecasts. Analyze actual costs, committed costs, labor performance, material usage, and remaining program requirements to assess forecast accuracy and identify changes in estimated profitability.


• Prepare and review monthly POC calculations, revenue recognition schedules, gross margin analyses, and related journal entries and account reconciliations.


• Monitor contract assets, contract liabilities, unbilled receivables, deferred revenue, and other POC-related balance sheet accounts; investigate and resolve reconciling items.


• Identify and communicate changes in program margin, loss positions, cost overruns, schedule impacts, and other financial risks to the Controller and business leadership on a timely basis.


• Maintain detailed documentation supporting POC calculations, EAC changes, management judgments, and revenue recognition conclusions for month-end close and audit readiness.


• Support internal and external audit requests related to contract accounting, revenue recognition, EAC assumptions, and POC calculations.


• Develop and strengthen controls, reporting, and ERP processes supporting program accounting, contract profitability, and POC revenue recognition.


• Prepare monthly manufacturing cost reports and variance analysis.


• Manage inventory valuation reporting and reconciliation.


• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory and cost accounting. Assist with internal and external audits related to cost and inventory controls.


• Develop management reports and dashboards for operational performance.

ERP System Management

• Utilize ERP systems across the business unit for cost tracking, inventory management, and financial reporting.


• Ensure accurate integration between manufacturing, inventory, and financial modules.


• Develop and maintain Epicor financial and cost reports for leadership.

A/P & A/R Oversight

• Oversee AP and AR functions, ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, payments, and collections.


• Manage all cost accounting activities for manufacturing operations including review of variances.


• Analyze material, labor, and overhead variances and provide explanations to management. Monitor cost of goods sold (COGS) and product margins.


• Conduct product cost analysis and profitability reporting.


• Identify and support cost reduction initiatives and operational efficiency improvements.

Qualifications/Experience:

----> Minimum 5 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment is required.

----> Experience with percentage-of-completion (POC) accounting, long-term contract accounting, revenue recognition, and EAC/ETC forecasting in a manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or project-based environment

----> Public company training preferred

----> Epicor ERP experience preferred

----> Advanced competency in Excel required.

----> Experience managing inventory accounting and inventory account controls is required.

----> Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP revenue recognition principles, including ASC 606, and experience supporting contract/program accounting close and audit requirements required.

----> Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and provide appropriate documentation establishing identity and employment eligibility as required by applicable law.

----> Must qualify as a "U.S." Persons as defined in 22 CFR § 120.62 under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) in order to comply with applicable export control laws and regulations.