Senior Cost Accountant

CFS; Hillside (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CFS in Hillside, IL is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to influence manufacturing performance through cost control, inventory valuation, and standard costing. You will partner with operations to drive cost reductions, maintain accurate standard costs, and support close processes.

You will analyze variances, support budgeting and forecasting, and develop product cost estimates to inform pricing decisions. 5+ years in cost accounting in manufacturing and strong Excel/ERP skills are highly desired.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, engineering, analytics, or related field.
• 5+ years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of standard costing, inventory valuation, GAAP, and manufacturing processes.
• Advanced Excel skills; proficient with ERP systems and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve cost accounting processes with operations accounting team.
• Develop and maintain standard costs and overhead rates; manage annual updates.
• Analyze inventory movements and valuation; assess financial impacts of changes.
• Support budgeting and forecasting with accurate cost data.
• Develop new product cost estimates; contribute to pricing decisions.
• Oversee month-end production costing and inventory closures; journals and reconciliations.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost accounting processes and reporting.
• Partner with operations to explain variances and support cost-reduction initiatives.

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory valuation

Standard costing

GAAP

ERP

Excel

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Analytics, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Location: Hillside, IL | Industry: Manufacturing | Employment Type: Full-Time

Senior Cost Accountant – Make a Meaningful Impact on Manufacturing Performance

Are you a commercially minded Senior Cost Accountant looking for an opportunity to influence business performance beyond the numbers? Join an established manufacturing organization where your expertise in cost accounting, inventory valuation, and standard costing will play a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency and profitability.

This Senior Cost Accountant opportunity is ideal for an analytical professional who enjoys partnering with operations, improving processes, and turning financial data into actionable business insights. You will have excellent cross-functional exposure, ownership of key cost accounting processes, and the opportunity to help shape decisions that directly impact manufacturing performance.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Meaningful business influence: Partner directly with operational teams to identify cost-saving opportunities, improve efficiency, and enhance profitability.
• Broad cross-functional exposure: Work closely with finance and operations, gaining valuable insight into the commercial and operational drivers of the business.
• Ownership and autonomy: Take responsibility for standard costing, cost accounting processes, and inventory analysis, with scope to recommend and implement improvements.
• Analytical challenge: Apply your technical expertise to complex costing questions, product pricing, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Continuous improvement: Help refine processes, strengthen reporting accuracy, and improve the quality of financial information used in business decisions.
• Career development: Build on your manufacturing finance experience in a role that combines technical accounting expertise with commercial business partnering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and improve cost accounting processes in collaboration with the operational accounting team.
• Develop and maintain standard costs, including labor and overhead rates, and manage annual standard cost updates.
• Analyze inventory movements, valuation, and financial impacts arising from operational changes.
• Support budgeting and forecasting through accurate, reliable cost data.
• Develop new product cost estimates and contribute to product pricing decisions.
• Oversee month-end production costing and inventory close activities, including journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost accounting processes, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with operations to explain cost variances, assess financial performance against standards, and support cost-reduction initiatives.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Analytics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of standard costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing processes, and GAAP.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, ERP proficiency, and excellent analytical and communication abilities.

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