Senior Accountant (Manufacturing)

The Bolton Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bolton Group in the Chicago suburbs is seeking a hands-on Senior Cost Accountant with a strong manufacturing background to drive cost accuracy and support operational decision-making. You will lead standard costing, inventory accounting, COGS and manufacturing variances, and partner with operations to improve margins and financial visibility across the business.

This role supports month-end close, budgeting, and cost modeling, with opportunities to implement process improvements and drive

Qualifications

• BS in Accounting or Finance required.
• 7+ years cost accounting experience in manufacturing environment.
• Experience with standard costing and inventory management is essential.
• Strong Excel and ERP systems proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for labor, materials, and overhead.
• Lead inventory accounting: cycle counts, physical inventory, variances.
• Prepare COGS and manufacturing variance reporting.
• Partner with operations to analyze production performance and efficiency.
• Support month-end close: journal entries, reconciliations, financial reporting.
• Analyze margins by product line, customer and business segment.
• Assist budgeting, forecasting, and cost modeling initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings.

Skills

Cost accounting

Manufacturing costing

Standard costing

Excel

ERP systems

Communication to non-financial

Analytical skills

Education

BS in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Cost Accountant with a strong manufacturing background to join a growing organization in the Chicago suburbs. This role will be a key contributor to the finance team, responsible for driving cost accuracy, supporting operational decision-making, and improving overall financial visibility across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze standard costs, including updates for labor, material, and overhead rates
• Lead inventory accounting processes, including cycle counts, physical inventory, and variance analysis
• Prepare and review cost of goods sold (COGS) and manufacturing variance reporting
• Partner with operations to analyze production performance, scrap, and efficiency metrics
• Support month-end close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting
• Analyze margins by product line, customer, and business segment
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and cost modeling initiatives
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings

Qualifications

• BS in Accounting or Finance
• 7+ years of accounting experience, with a strong focus in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment
• Experience with standard costing and inventory management required
• Strong Excel skills; experience with ERP systems
• Ability to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills