Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant

Location:

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (hybrid working – onsite Mon-Wed)

The Cost Accountant will provide accurate, timely financial reporting and analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making within a manufacturing environment. The role supports cost control, forecasting, and performance insight across production operations.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, responsibilities include:

• Prepare monthly management reports, including margin and performance analysis
• Produce monthly P&Ls for two key business units
• Support the month-end close process
• Produce rolling forecasts, with a focus on production costs
• Deliver weekly efficiency reporting across production operations
• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights

• Perform variance analysis (material, labour, overhead), identifying key drivers
• Review cost absorption and overhead allocation
• Support the standard costing process
• Participate in stock obsolescence reviews and related analysis
• Partner with operations to improve cost efficiency and reduce waste

• Support budgeting and forecasting processes
• Monitor actual vs budget and highlight key variances

• Work cross-functionally to support data-driven decision making
• Collaborate with procurement to track cost savings
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis
• Controls & Process Improvement
• Support audit and year-end requirements
  
  Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and systems
• Contribute to cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives

• Part‑or fully qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA – CIMA preferred) or qualified by experience
• Experience in a manufacturing or production environment
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills
• Experience with ERP systems
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage non-finance stakeholders
• Understanding of standard costing

• Power
  
  BI / Power Query experience

• Analytical with strong attention to detail
• Commercial and operationally focused
• Proactive with a questioning mindset
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills
• Able to work independently in a fast‑paced environment

You will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days’ paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts’ portal. We also offer a range of additional support and benefits through our Everyone is Included Group Inclusion Plan, detailed below.

We are also a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like to apply using this scheme, please select this option in our application form or notify our recruitment partners.