Manager, Cost Accounting

Danella Companies, Inc.; Harmonville (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental plans

Vision plan with health incentives

Employee assistance and family support

Job summary

Danella Companies, Inc. is seeking a Manager of Cost Accounting to own job costing, inventory, and variance analysis for our utility construction ops. You will partner with site leadership to bring financial transparency and accountability, driving cost optimization and continuous improvement across projects.

The role blends technical accounting with leadership, guiding FP&A, and leading monthly/quarterly reviews to strengthen profitability in a fast-paced construction environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with 6+ years of cost accounting experience in construction.
• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of cost accounting experience in construction.
• Proven leadership experience in a construction environment.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems, Excel, and Power BI.
• Hands-on experience leading month-end close and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Lead all cost accounting functions: job costing, standard costing, inventory management, variance analysis.
• Partner with operations and site leadership to ensure financial transparency and cost control across projects.
• Own the month-end close for cost accounting and deliver accurate reporting.
• Guide FP&A: forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis with root-cause interpretation.
• Lead monthly/quarterly business reviews with operations leadership.
• Identify and implement process improvements to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Analyze large datasets to surface actionable insights for decisions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Project Manager team.
• Communicate financial results and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels.

Skills

Cost accounting

GAAP

Financial analysis

ERP systems

Excel

Power BI

Month-end close

Inventory management

Forecasting

Budgeting

Variance analysis

Leadership

Cross-functional partnering

Data interpretation

Education

Advanced degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Power BI

Job description

About Danella

Danella is a privately held, well-established utility construction company headquartered in the Plymouth Meeting, PA area. Our growing accounting team supports field operations across the business, and we pride ourselves on a positive, collaborative, and friendly work environment. If you are a hands-on accounting leader who wants to see the direct impact of your work on operational results, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Manager of Cost Accounting, you will own all aspects of cost accounting for our utility construction operations—job costing, inventory management, variance analysis. You will partner directly with operations and site leadership to bring financial transparency and accountability to every project, identify opportunities to optimize costs, and drive continuous improvement.

This is a highly visible role that blends technical accounting expertise with leadership and business acumen. You will guide financial planning and analysis, lead monthly and quarterly business reviews, and implement strategic initiatives that strengthen profitability in a fast-moving construction environment.

What You'll Do

• Lead all cost accounting functions, including job costing, standard costing, inventory management, variance analysis
• Partner with operations and site leadership to ensure financial transparency, accountability, and sound cost control across projects
• Own the month-end close for cost accounting, delivering accurate and timely reporting
• Guide financial planning and analysis, including forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis with clear root-cause interpretation
• Facilitate monthly and quarterly business reviews with operations leadership
• Identify, design, and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and profitability
• Analyze large datasets to surface insights and support data-driven decisions
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Project Manager team
• Communicate financial results and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels of the organization

What You'll Bring

Required

• Advanced degree plus 6+ years of experience, or Bachelor's degree plus 8+ years of experience in cost accounting for construction industry
• Proven leadership experience in a construction environment
• Strong expertise in cost accounting principles, GAAP, and financial analysis
• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems and financial applications (Excel, Power BI)
• Hands-on experience leading month-end close, standard costing, and inventory management
• Excellence in financial forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with large datasets and deliver accurate reporting
• Demonstrated success identifying and implementing process improvements
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
• Strong business partnering skills and the ability to work cross-functionally
• Self-directed, with excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to travel as required

Preferred

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related business field

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range is $120,000 - $150,000
• A choice of medical and dental plans and a vision plan, including health incentive programs
• Employee assistance and family support programs
• At least 120 hours of paid time off (PTO) and 6 paid holidays annually
• Competitive 401(k) plan

Danella is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.