Manufacturing Cost Accountant: Margin & Ops Insight

Great Dane; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Dental, vision, and medical coverage

Retirement programs with pension and 4

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Great Dane is seeking a Cost Accountant to own the general ledger and financial reporting for a manufacturing location. You will partner with plant leadership, operations, engineering, and supply chain to ensure accurate product costing, margin analysis, and financial visibility across the business.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, 3+ years in manufacturing or public accounting, strong cost accounting knowledge, ERP experience (JDE preferred), and advanced Excel skills with

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (required).
• Experience: 3+ years of accounting experience, preferably in manufacturing or public accounting.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• Skills: Strong understanding of cost accounting principles.
• Experience with ERP systems (JDE preferred).
• Advanced Excel proficiency.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Travel: Willingness to travel 10-15% domestically.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close for assigned plants.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Analyze variances versus budget, forecast, and prior year.
• Prepare management reporting packages with clear commentary on performance drivers.
• Coordinate year-end reporting requirements and support external audit processes.
• Perform detailed product costing and margin analysis.
• Analyze labor, material, and overhead variances.
• Support annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes.
• Collaborate with plant leadership to model cost drivers and volume assumptions.
• Maintain and strengthen internal control structure across plant operations.
• Monitor expense activity and ensure proper accruals and cut-off procedures.
• Safeguard company assets through inventory oversight and reconciliation.
• Assist with physical inventory observation at year end.
• Utilize ERP system (JDE or similar) to drive reporting accuracy.
• Leverage advanced Excel skills to improve reporting efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and enhance financial visibility within PowerBI.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the accounting function
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong written and verbalcommunication

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Cost accounting principles

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA preferred but not required

Tools

JDE ERP

Advanced Excel

Job description

Great Dane is seeking a Cost Accountant to own the general ledger and financial reporting for a manufacturing location. You will partner with plant leadership, operations, engineering, and supply chain to ensure accurate product costing, margin analysis, and financial visibility across the business.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, 3+ years in manufacturing or public accounting, strong cost accounting knowledge, ERP experience (JDE preferred), and advanced Excel skills with