Cost Accounting Manager

Morgan Hunter; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Hunter has partnered with an established manufacturing organization to recruit a Cost Accounting Manager. The role oversees cost data collection, product costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis to support operations and financial reporting.

The successful candidate will lead a small cost accounting team, maintain standard costs, collaborate across Accounting, Production, Purchasing, Engineering, and Operations, and implement process improvements to strengthen internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; equivalent education considered.
• Minimum 3 years in accounting and/or manufacturing cost accounting.
• Strong cost accounting knowledge: standard costing, inventory, and general accounting principles.
• Experience leading a small accounting team in an ERP environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to analyze financial and operational data accurately.
• Excellent communication across multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee collection, analysis, and reporting of cost data for manufacturing.
• Analyze inventory, product costs, variances, and standard costs for monthly reporting.
• Monitor, investigate, adjust manufacturing and cost variances.
• Maintain standard costs and cost accounting files.
• Review orders to evaluate cost and pricing relationships.
• Lead inventory and job-costing activities for the annual audit.
• Develop product costs to support financial and operational decisions.
• Partner with Production, Purchasing, Engineering, and Operations for cost information.
• Lead and develop cost accounting staff; cross-train.
• Identify process improvements to increase efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Excel

Cost accounting

ERP experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Epicor Kinetic

Job description

We are partnering with an established manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Cost Accounting Manager to oversee cost accounting and serve as a key financial partner across Accounting, Production, Purchasing, Engineering, and Operations.

This position will be responsible for product costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variance analysis, and accurate financial reporting. The Cost Accounting Manager will also play an important role in improving processes, strengthening cost controls, and providing management with meaningful financial information to support operational decisions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of cost data related to manufacturing and production activities.
• Analyze inventory, product costs, manufacturing variances, and standard costs to ensure accurate monthly financial reporting.
• Monitor, investigate, report, and adjust manufacturing and cost variances.
• Maintain and update standard costs and related cost accounting files.
• Review new orders to evaluate appropriate cost and pricing relationships.
• Review costing for current, completed, and shipped jobs.
• Analyze general ledger balances related to inventory and cost accounting to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Develop and maintain product costs to support financial and operational decision-making.
• Lead inventory and job-costing activities related to the annual audit.
• Oversee the review and reconciliation of inventory purchases.
• Perform product-costing analysis and identify opportunities to improve margins and profitability.
• Partner with Production, Purchasing, Engineering, and Operations to provide accurate and timely cost information.
• Lead, train, and develop cost accounting staff while ensuring appropriate cross-training and coverage of key responsibilities.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the cost accounting function.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls related to inventory, costing, and financial reporting.
• Support special projects and other accounting initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of accounting and/or manufacturing cost accounting experience.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, standard costing, inventory accounting, and general accounting principles.
• Previous leadership or management experience with the ability to lead a small accounting team.
• Experience working within an ERP environment; Epicor Kinetic experience is a plus.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial and operational data accurately.
• Detail-oriented and organized with strong numerical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and communicate financial information to both accounting and operational teams.