Sr. Cost Accountant (Hybrid; Public Transpo Access; $125K+)

#twiceasnice Recruiting; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Benefits

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

A Des Plaines manufacturer is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to join the finance team. You will ensure inventory data accuracy, drive efficiency in inventory utilization, and support monthly financial reporting.

This role emphasizes partnering with Operations and Supply Chain to translate data into actionable insights in a lean, autonomous work environment. The position offers hybrid work (3 days onsite, 2 days remote), a salary range of $105,000–$125,000 plus full benefits, and opportunities

Qualifications

• 3+ years of cost accounting experience
• Manufacturing accounting industry experience
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting and standard costing/COGS
• ERP system experience; Dynamics 365 a bonus
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs)

Responsibilities

• Analyze inventory trends by location
• Partner with Operations/Supply Chain to reduce carrying costs
• Build and maintain inventory KPIs and dashboards
• Support standard cost reviews, BOM analysis, and cycle counts
• Prepare journal entries for inventory, COGS, and accruals
• Reconcile inventory subledger to GL; resolve discrepancies
• Perform variance analysis (PPV, labor, overhead) with commentary for leadership
• Support monthly reporting packages and working capital insights
• Assist with budgeting/forecasting for inventory and production costs
• Identify cost reduction and margin improvement opportunities
• Drive close process efficiency through automation and standardization
• Support ERP integration and data accuracy initiatives
• Provide financial support for Lean/continuous improvement projects

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory management

Financial analysis

Cross-functional partnering

Tools

Dynamics 365

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Location: Des Plaines, IL - HYBRID (3 days onsite, 2 days WFH)

Salary: $105,000 - $125,000 + Full Benefits

Job Type: Full Time

Typical Hours: Mon-Fri; Flexible (40 hrs./wk.); 2 days remote

Start Date: ASAP

Sponsorship is not available

Our client, a reputable US-based manufacturer, is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to join its finance team in Des Plaines, IL. This role is critical in ensuring the accuracy of inventory-related financial data, driving efficiency in inventory utilization, and supporting the integrity of monthly financial reporting. This is much more than a traditional accounting position. The company is seeking someone who understands the bigger picture—someone who can partner with Operations and Supply Chain, translate data into actionable business insights, and help drive cost reduction and margin improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and wants to play a key role in inventory optimization while supporting a fast-moving, growing finance organization. This is a rare opportunity to join a lean, low-red-tape environment that offers true autonomy, a strong work-life balance, and a clear pathway for career growth and promotion.

• Analyze inventory trends by location
• Partner with Operations/Supply Chain to reduce carrying costs
• Build and maintain inventory KPIs and dashboards
• Support standard cost reviews, BOM analysis, and cycle counts
• Prepare journal entries for inventory, COGS, and accruals
• Reconcile inventory subledger to GL; resolve discrepancies
• Perform variance analysis (PPV, labor, overhead) with commentary for leadership
• Support monthly reporting packages and working capital insights
• Assist with budgeting/forecasting for inventory and production costs
• Identify cost reduction and margin improvement opportunities
• Drive close process efficiency through automation and standardization
• Support ERP integration and data accuracy initiatives
• Provide financial support for Lean/continuous improvement projects
• 3+ years of cost accounting experience required
• Manufacturing accounting industry experience required
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting and standard costing/COGS required
• ERP system experience required; Dynamics 365 a bonus
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs) required