Sr. Cost Accountant

Description We are looking for an experienced Sr. Cost Accountant to support a premium furniture manufacturer in Comstock Park, Michigan through a Long-term Contract engagement. This role will help maintain continuity across core accounting operations while bringing stronger visibility to product costing, inventory accuracy, and margin performance in a mixed-model manufacturing environment. The position will also provide practical insight into costing methods, forecasting opportunities, and process improvements that can strengthen financial decision-making across the business.

Responsibilities:

- Oversee product and job costing activities for custom and standard manufacturing work, ensuring cost data supports accurate pricing and profitability analysis.

- Perform period-end inventory review activities, including count validation, reconciliation, and follow-up on discrepancies that affect financial results.

- Lead annual cost updates for existing and newly introduced products, refining assumptions for labor, materials, and machine-related inputs.

- Analyze manufacturing and inventory variances to identify unusual cost patterns, margin leakage, and areas where standards may no longer reflect actual operations.

- Partner with finance, operations, sales, and product teams to improve cost visibility for new products, commodity-driven inputs, and customer-specific work.

- Evaluate current costing practices and recommend practical enhancements that simplify workflows while improving reliability and consistency.

- Support month-end close and recurring forecasting cycles by delivering accurate cost-related reporting and financial insights.

- Provide informed guidance on business system usage and cost accounting controls, including support for process changes or future platform-related adjustments when needed.

- Document key cost accounting procedures and highlight operational or reporting gaps to reduce dependency on individual knowledge and strengthen business continuity. Requirements - Proven experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment, including job costing and inventory-related analysis.

- Strong understanding of month-end close processes, standard costing concepts, and variance investigation.

- Ability to work with financial reporting, business systems, and data analysis tools to interpret operational and cost information.

- Experience supporting inventory controls, cost roll updates, and reconciliation activities in a production setting.

- Demonstrated skill in partnering with cross-functional teams to improve costing accuracy and business decision support.

- Knowledge of forecasting, cash flow analysis, and capital-related financial considerations is preferred.

- Strong communication skills with the ability to assess current processes, document findings, and recommend improvements clearly.

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app ()  and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.

All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit  for more information.

© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking "Apply Now," you're agreeing to Robert Half's Terms of Use ()  and Privacy Notice () .