Cost Accountant

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James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, Timber Tech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and Stru Xure®.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally.

Powered by a dynamic workforce, we're united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

For more information, visit  .

The Cost Accountant, under the direction of the site Controller, is responsible for maintenance of the standard costing system, providing analytics and reporting around manufacturing performance, and leading best practices in inventory control, fixed assets and spend management.

• Development, ownership, and ongoing management of site standard costing, including material, labor and overhead, bill of materials (BOMs) and production routings updates, and annual standard cost roll.
• Providing analysis of manufacturing performance and spending trends and partnering with operations teams on corrective actions or other cost savings opportunities.
• Prepare month-end close activities, including adjusting journal entries and accruals, closing production work orders, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Complete monthly cost analysis of controllable expense accounts and material cost variance accounts.
• Daily management of production work order process, manufacturing accounting on work orders, and gaining understanding to explain and reconcile manufacturing cost variances for the plant.
• Participate in daily/weekly plant meetings to explain the results of analysis and identify solutions.
• Drive accounting processes within the plant to ensure accurate books and records and compliance with key control audit requirements.
• Provide support and documentation for monthly SOX controls, interim SOX testing, and audits from both Internal and External auditors
• Assist in the creation of standard work processes for site finance, ensuring internal controls and efficiency.
• Accurate inventory control through oversight of cycle count and physical inventory processes with root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Management of site fixed assets processes, including monthly reconciliations, asset additions and disposals, and monthly/annual fixed asset counts/audits.
• Collaborate with operations and shared AP services to research and resolve purchasing and invoice issues.
• Perform additional duties as needed and/or assigned by supervisor/management.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience in a similar accounting or finance position/role.
• Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Technical system competence with JD Edwards and advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of finance and accounting principles, including GAAP
• Demonstrated understanding of (or ability to learn) standard and cost accounting methods.
• Strong analytical ability to synthesize detailed data into meaningful insights.
• Ability to develop and present solid, data-supported solutions.
• Proven problem-solving ability with sound judgment.
• Knowledge of research methods and report preparation, or willingness to learn.
• Results-oriented mindset with a commitment to accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills, including the ability to explain financial concepts across the business.
• Ability to challenge information, validate assumptions, and seek robust data to improve decision quality.
• Desire and tenacity to grow within the organization.

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $69,000 to $80,000. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time.…