Cost Analyst

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Finance & Accounting Regular Full-Time Athens, AL, US

Position Summary:

The Cost Analyst supports the Sr. Plant Controller by preparing, analyzing, and maintaining accurate cost accounting, inventory, and manufacturing financial information. This position assists with month-end close, standard costing, cost roll activities, inventory valuation, variance analysis, reporting, and process improvement. The role is responsible for producing timely and reliable financial data, investigating cost drivers, supporting cross-functional business partners, and helping improve the accuracy, efficiency, and consistency of cost accounting processes across the organization.

• Support month-end close activities, including review and correction of production orders, recording of COGS and WIP activity, and analysis of production order variances.
• Prepare weekly and monthly inventory reporting and assist with inventory valuation, reserve analysis, and reconciliation activities.
• Calculate and maintain excess and obsolete inventory reserves in accordance with company policy and accounting requirements.
• Assist with quarterly and annual cost roll processes, including new part costing, standard cost updates, and validation of material, labor, overhead, freight, duty, and other cost components.
• Research purchase price variances, production variances, inventory adjustments, and other cost-related fluctuations; summarize findings and proposed corrective actions.
• Support analysis of product group profitability, manufacturing expenses, non-manufacturing expenses, and plant operating performance.
• Prepare financial reports, dashboards, and KPI tracking to support plant leadership, Finance, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Assist with departmental rate calculations and cost allocation analysis for Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, and related support functions.
• Maintain and improve cost accounting records, supporting documentation, and system data integrity within ERP and reporting tools.
• Partner with Business Intelligence, Finance, and operational teams to improve reporting, automate recurring analyses, and enhance dashboard functionality.
• Support forecasts, budgets, and ad hoc financial analyses related to manufacturing costs, inventory, expenses, and cost savings initiatives.
• Assist with internal and external audit requests by preparing schedules, reconciliations, explanations, and supporting documentation.
  
  Comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), company accounting policies, internal controls, and financial reporting deadlines.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost control, data accuracy, and reporting efficiency within the cost accounting function.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Expertise:
Knowledge & Skills

• Strong working knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and manufacturing finance concepts.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data validation, and recurring financial analysis templates.
• Experience using ERP systems, preferably Epicor, and reporting tools such as Power BI or similar business intelligence platforms.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to investigate variances and explain financial results clearly.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate with Finance, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and leadership teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and…