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

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

Job summary

Our Des Plaines, IL-based client is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to join its manufacturing finance team. The role partners with Operations and Supply Chain to optimize inventory, drive cost reduction, and support monthly financial reporting. Candidates should have 3+ years in cost accounting within manufacturing and strong Excel skills.

The position is hybrid (Des Plaines area) with a path for growth and promotion in a lean, autonomous environment. Sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of cost accounting experience.
• Manufacturing accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting and standard costing/COGS.
• ERP experience; Dynamics 365 a bonus.

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 and resolve discrepancies.
• Perform variance analysis (PPV, labor, overhead) with leadership commentary.
• 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 accounting

Standard costing/COGS

ERP systems

Dynamics 365

Advanced Excel

Variance analysis

Tools

Dynamics 365

Excel

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