Cost Accountant

Job Description

The Controller’s Office is seeking a Cost Accountant to provide financial and accounting support for the development and oversight of service center rates. This role is responsible for reviewing expenditure and recovery data to ensure service center activities reflect actual costs and usage of services or products.

• Collecting and analyzing service center financial data to support rate development and monitoring.
• Reviewing interdepartmental service requests (ISRs) to ensure approved rates are applied accurately and supporting documentation is complete; resolving discrepancies in collaboration with service center personnel.
• Assisting service center staff in gathering and preparing data required for rate development worksheets.
• Analyzing service center costs and recommending rates, supported by well‑documented work papers, to the Cost Accounting Senior or Manager.
• Maintaining organized electronic records and ensuring proper documentation retention.
• Supporting special projects that advance the Controller’s Office mission to deliver high‑quality, efficient, and effective financial management services to the university.

• Relevant education and/or professional experience in accounting, auditing, or cost analysis, including preparation of cost studies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas) and Access (e.g., queries), to aggregate and analyze data.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to compile, investigate, reconcile, and evaluate financial data accurately.
• Ability to interpret and apply state, federal, and university policies, regulations, and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within established procedures while exercising sound judgment to resolve routine issues and make independent, well‑reasoned decisions or recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to providing high‑quality customer service and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
• Professional experience in accounting, cost control, or job costing, with a strong understanding of standard cost development principles.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and present financial reports for management and/or external stakeholders.
• Experience using data query and analysis tools (e.g., SQL, SAS, or Microsoft Access).
• Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial systems, such as Banner Finance.

Pay Band: 4

Overtime Status: Exempt:
Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type: Regular

Salary Information: Salary range of $60,000 - $65,000

Hours per week: 40

Review Date: 5/4/2026

Additional Information: The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Zach La Croix at zlacroix during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.