Senior Cost Accountant

Talently; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Talently is seeking a Cost Accountant on-site in Springfield, Missouri. You will manage inventory accounting, variances, and financial reporting while partnering with finance, operations, and leadership to drive cost control and continuous improvement.

The role requires 3+ years in cost accounting and strong Excel/BI skills, with a focus on turning data into actionable business decisions in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Analytics, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years in cost accounting, manufacturing finance, financial analysis, or related area.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing costs, inventory, WIP, variances, labor, overhead, materials.
• Strong analytical skills to turn data into actionable business insights.
• Advanced Excel and tools like Power BI, Power Query, SQL.

Responsibilities

• Oversee inventory accounting, manufacturing variances, and cost control.
• Support financial reporting and process improvements across operations.
• Collaborate with finance, operations, engineering, and leadership for decisions.
• Analyze large data sets, identify trends and provide insights.
• Apply automation and AI to improve accounting and analytics workflows.

Skills

Cost accounting

Manufacturing finance

Financial analysis

Power BI

Excel

SQL

US GAAP

Data analysis

Communication

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Analytics, or a related field

Tools

Power BI

Power Query

SQL

JD Edwards (ERP)

Job description

Location: On Site - Springfield, Missouri

Salary: $65-100k + Bonus

About The Opportunity:

Join a well-established organization in manufacturing, where accurate cost accounting and operational insight support high-quality production and sustainable growth. As a Cost Accountant, you will play a key role in inventory accounting, manufacturing variance analysis, financial reporting, and process improvement. This on-site opportunity in Springfield, Missouri, offers the chance to partner closely with finance, operations, engineering, and business leadership while contributing to critical business decisions.

Responsibilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Analytics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 3+ years of experience in cost accounting, manufacturing finance, financial analysis, or a related area.
• Hands-on experience working with manufacturing costs, inventory, WIP, variances, labor, overhead, materials, or other operational financial data.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with large datasets, identify trends, and turn data into actionable business insights.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with analytical/reporting tools such as Power BI, Power Query, SQL, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and US GAAP, particularly as it relates to cost accounting and inventory.
• Ability to communicate complex financial and analytical information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, communication, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet time-sensitive close and reporting deadlines.
• Strong interest in leveraging automation, AI, and emerging technologies to improve accounting and analytical processes.
• Ability to work effectively with finance, operations, engineering, and business leadership in an on-site manufacturing environment.

Must-Have Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Analytics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 3+ years of experience in cost accounting, manufacturing finance, financial analysis, or a related area.
• Hands-on experience working with manufacturing costs, inventory, WIP, variances, labor, overhead, materials, or other operational financial data.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with large datasets, identify trends, and turn data into actionable business insights.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with analytical/reporting tools such as Power BI, Power Query, SQL, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and US GAAP, particularly as it relates to cost accounting and inventory.
• Ability to communicate complex financial and analytical information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, communication, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet time-sensitive close and reporting deadlines.
• Strong interest in leveraging automation, AI, and emerging technologies to improve accounting and analytical processes.
• Ability to work effectively with finance, operations, engineering, and business leadership in an on-site manufacturing environment.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with JD Edwards or another manufacturing ERP system.
• Experience with data warehouses, business intelligence tools, or advanced data manipulation.
• Experience using AI or automation tools to improve reporting, analysis, or accounting workflows.
• Experience training or mentoring junior accounting or finance team members.
• International accounting or finance experience, particularly with European operations.
• Experience with LIFO, labor/burden rate calculations, inventory reserves, or profitability analysis.