SR Cost Accountant

Actalent; Tennessee; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Sr Cost Accountant for a growing manufacturing organization in the Chattanooga, TN area. You will own standard costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing variance analysis while partnering with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to improve profitability.

Responsibilities include month-end close for inventory and COGS, budgeting and forecasting support, and providing actionable cost insights to leadership. A Bachelor's degree in Accounting is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required.
• Five or more years of accounting experience, including cost accounting within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of standard costing methodologies, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain standard costs, including material, labor, and overhead rates.
• Lead annual standard cost updates and periodic cost reviews to ensure accurate product costing.
• Maintain the integrity of bills of material (BOMs) and routings in partnership with Engineering and Operations.
• Investigate and resolve product cost discrepancies and system inaccuracies.
• Manage month-end close responsibilities related to inventory and cost of goods sold, including journal entries, reconciliations, and account analysis.
• Analyze and report manufacturing variances, including purchase price, material usage, labor efficiency, and overhead absorption variances.
• Identify root causes of variances and provide recommendations for corrective action and process improvements.
• Reconcile and validate raw material, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory balances.
• Support inventory reserve analysis and ensure appropriate accounting treatment for excess and obsolete inventory.
• Participate in and support physical inventories and cycle count programs while helping strengthen inventory controls.
• Prepare product line, customer, and job-level profitability analysis to support pricing and business decisions.
• Develop gross margin reporting, bridge analysis, and trend analysis for leadership review.
• Model cost scenarios related to engineering changes, sourcing decisions, and supplier changes to evaluate financial impact.
• Partner with manufacturing leadership to identify cost reduction opportunities and quantify savings initiatives.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting activities related to inventory, cost of goods sold, and gross margin.
• Provide financial analysis and support for capital expenditure projects and operational investments.
• Serve as the primary finance resource for Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sourcing regarding cost-related matters.
• Support internal and external audits by providing financial analysis, inventory support, and required documentation.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools, dashboards, and performance metrics that provide timely visibility into manufacturing costs and profitability.
• Utilize ERP and financial systems to manage cost data, analyze performance trends, and support business initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with cross-functional teams and communicate financial information effectively to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

Skills

Cost accounting

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

ERP systems

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Job Description

Sr Cost Accountant

Aston Carter is partnering with a growing manufacturing

organization in the Chattanooga, TN area to hire a Sr Cost Accountant

responsible for leading all aspects of cost accounting, inventory valuation,

and manufacturing financial analysis. This position serves as a critical

business partner to Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sourcing, and

Executive Leadership by providing accurate cost information, profitability

analysis, and financial insights that support strategic business decisions.

This role will own standard costing, manufacturing variance

analysis, inventory accounting, and cost forecasting within a dynamic

make-to-order and make-to-stock manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate

will have a strong manufacturing accounting experience, advanced analytical

skills, and the ability to translate financial data into actionable

recommendations that improve operational performance and profitability.

Candidates with experience in cost accounting, inventory management,

manufacturing finance, or related accounting functions who are eager to

contribute to a growing organization are encouraged to apply.

Position Summary

The Sr Cost Accountant is responsible for overseeing the

cost accounting function for the manufacturing operation. This role manages

standard costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variance analysis, and

cost-related reporting while partnering closely with operations and engineering

teams to improve profitability and enhance financial visibility across the

organization. The position plays a key role in budgeting, forecasting,

inventory controls, pricing support, and strategic decision-making.

Job Responsibilities

• Own and maintain standard costs, including material, labor, and overhead rates.
• Lead annual standard cost updates and periodic cost reviews to ensure accurate product costing.
• Maintain the integrity of bills of material (BOMs) and routings in partnership with Engineering and Operations.
• Investigate and resolve product cost discrepancies and system inaccuracies.
• Manage month-end close responsibilities related to inventory and cost of goods sold, including journal entries, reconciliations, and account analysis.
• Analyze and report manufacturing variances, including purchase price, material usage, labor efficiency, and overhead absorption variances.
• Identify root causes of variances and provide recommendations for corrective action and process improvements.
• Reconcile and validate raw material, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory balances.
• Support inventory reserve analysis and ensure appropriate accounting treatment for excess and obsolete inventory.
• Participate in and support physical inventories and cycle count programs while helping strengthen inventory controls.
• Prepare product line, customer, and job-level profitability analysis to support pricing and business decisions.
• Develop gross margin reporting, bridge analysis, and trend analysis for leadership review.
• Model cost scenarios related to engineering changes, sourcing decisions, and supplier changes to evaluate financial impact.
• Partner with manufacturing leadership to identify cost reduction opportunities and quantify savings initiatives.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting activities related to inventory, cost of goods sold, and gross margin.
• Provide financial analysis and support for capital expenditure projects and operational investments.
• Serve as the primary finance resource for Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sourcing regarding cost-related matters.
• Support internal and external audits by providing financial analysis, inventory support, and required documentation.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools, dashboards, and performance metrics that provide timely visibility into manufacturing costs and profitability.
• Utilize ERP and financial systems to manage cost data, analyze performance trends, and support business initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with cross-functional teams and communicate financial information effectively to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• Five or more years of accounting experience, including cost accounting within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of standard costing methodologies, inventory accounting, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP