Junior Cost Accountant

LHH Recruitment Solutions; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions is seeking a Junior Cost Accountant to join a growing accounting and finance team in Charlotte, NC. This onsite role focuses on cost accounting, inventory management, and manufacturing operations, offering mentorship and growth opportunities.

The ideal candidate has at least 1 year of accounting experience in a manufacturing environment, with exposure to inventory accounting, cost analysis, or production financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 1 year of accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to inventory accounting, cost accounting, or manufacturing reporting preferred.
• Strong accounting principles and financial reporting knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Assist with inventory accounting and monthly inventory reconciliations.
• Monitor inventory transactions and investigate variances between physical counts and system records.
• Support cycle counts and annual physical inventory processes.
• Analyze inventory, labor, and overhead costs to ensure accurate product costing.
• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations related to inventory and manufacturing activities.
• Assist with month-end close activities and financial reporting.
• Review production and inventory data to identify trends, discrepancies, and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with operations, production, and supply chain teams to support inventory accuracy and cost controls.
• Maintain standard costing information and assist with cost updates as needed.
• Support audit requests related to inventory and manufacturing accounting.

Skills

Cost accounting

Excel

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

Microsoft Dynamics

Epicor

Job description

Our client is seeking a motivated Junior Cost Accountant to join their growing accounting and finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career accounting professional looking to build expertise in cost accounting, inventory management, and manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of accounting experience within a manufacturing environment and exposure to inventory accounting, cost analysis, or production-related financial reporting. This role offers strong mentorship, career growth potential, and the opportunity to gain hands‑on experience with manufacturing accounting processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist with inventory accounting and monthly inventory reconciliations.
• Monitor inventory transactions and investigate variances between physical counts and system records.
• Support cycle counts and annual physical inventory processes.
• Analyze inventory, labor, and overhead costs to ensure accurate product costing.
• Prepare journal entries and account reconciliations related to inventory and manufacturing activities.
• Assist with month‑end close activities and financial reporting.
• Review production and inventory data to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with operations, production, and supply chain teams to support inventory accuracy and cost controls.
• Maintain standard costing information and assist with cost updates as needed.
• Support internal and external audit requests related to inventory and manufacturing accounting.
• Help improve accounting processes and strengthen internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to inventory accounting, cost accounting, or manufacturing reporting preferred.
• Understanding of general accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with inventory reconciliations and cycle counts.
• Exposure to standard costing, BOMs (Bills of Materials), or manufacturing cost analysis.
• Internship or previous experience supporting a manufacturing plant or distribution environment.
• CPA eligibility or progress toward certification is a plus

What We're Looking For

• A self‑starter eager to develop a career in manufacturing finance and accounting.
• Strong attention to detail and ownership mentality.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with both accounting and operations teams.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn inventory and cost accounting concepts.
• Commitment to accuracy and continuous improvement.

Schedule and Compensation

• Onsite, Monday - Friday
• $75,000 - $85,000 (depending on experience) with an annual bonus