Sr. Cost Accountant

Senior Cost & Inventory Accounting Specialist

Location: Charlotte Metro Area
Department: Corporate Finance

Position Overview

This role is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of product costing and inventory valuation across a high-volume production environment. The Senior Cost & Inventory Accounting Specialist acts as a financial partner to operations, providing clear visibility into material flows, manufacturing performance, and cost drivers. This individual plays a key part in the month‑end close, supports leadership with meaningful analysis, and helps strengthen the company’s internal processes as the business continues to scale.

Primary

Responsibilities Inventory & Cost Oversight

• Maintain detailed records of material, in-process, and finished goods inventory, ensuring all activity is properly captured.
• Validate the accuracy of cost layers, labor rates, and overhead components used in product costing.
• Review and update cost models when purchasing, production, or operational assumptions change.

Close Activities & Account Reconciliation

• Prepare financial entries and supporting schedules tied to inventory and production‑related costs during each close cycle.
• Compare operational inventory reports to the general ledger and resolve differences promptly.
• Support cost roll‑ups and perform analyses that explain manufacturing and material cost movements month over month.

Operational Cost Analysis

• Investigate deviations between expected and actual production costs, identifying underlying drivers.
• Review pricing fluctuations, usage trends, and manufacturing efficiency metrics to provide insights to operational leadership.
• Monitor items that are slow‑moving or no longer needed and recommend reserve levels or adjustments as appropriate.

Physical Inventory & Internal Controls

• Participate in periodic inventory counts and cycle‑count programs, ensuring accurate execution and reconciliation.
• Assess the adequacy of inventory‑related controls and ensure transactions (receipts, transfers, adjustments) adhere to policies.
• Partner with warehouse and production teams to correct discrepancies and reinforce best practices.

Reporting & Insight Delivery

• Develop management reports that summarize cost trends, inventory activity, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Provide clear communication to finance and operational leaders around cost behavior and inventory performance.
• Support internal and external audit requirements with timely reporting and supporting documentation.

Process & Systems Development

• Identify areas where cost or inventory workflows can be enhanced and propose practical improvements.
• Assist with enhancements to ERP modules or reporting tools that strengthen data accuracy and transparency.
• Contribute to long‑term initiatives aimed at optimizing costing methodologies and operational efficiency.

Required Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5‑7+ years of experience supporting cost or inventory accounting within a production or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of product costing concepts, inventory valuation techniques, and cost analysis.
• Comfortable working in an ERP environment; able to navigate complex inventory and costing modules.
• High proficiency in spreadsheet analysis and ability to interpret both financial and operational data.
• Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational habits, and consistent follow‑through.

Preferred Background

• Experience with multi‑step manufacturing processes or environments with complex inventory structures.
• Exposure to process‑improvement methodologies (LEAN, continuous improvement, etc.).
• Audit support experience or familiarity with internal control frameworks.
• Ability to work with data visualization or reporting tools.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range is noted in this posting and is determined by factors such as skill sets, experience, residency, and business needs. Additional benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.

By submitting to this position, you agree to be included in the company’s talent pool for future hiring for…