Cost Accountant III

Cost Accountant III – Panasonic North America

The Cost Accountant III provides advanced cost accounting, operational reporting, and business analysis support within a dynamic manufacturing environment. The role involves product costing, manufacturing cost analysis, and ensuring accurate financial postings for production and related activities. The position plays a key role in financial close processes, inventory control, and variance analysis, partnering closely with Operations and FP&A teams to provide insights that drive efficiency and cost improvements.

• Serve as the primary contact for Operations managers on production cost accounting and cost center expense analysis, in collaboration with the FP&A team
• Establish and maintain accurate product costing in SAP S4/Hana, verifying master data and calculation methods
• Calculate, investigate, and follow up on production, operational, and purchasing variances (Inventory, Absorption, PPV, etc.), directing improvement opportunities to the business
• Perform raw material standard vs. actual variance analysis and cost development reviews
• Demonstrate knowledge of fixed asset acquisition, capitalization, and life cycle activities
• Provide technical and practical support for monthly financial close, production-related settlements, cycle counts, and inventory audits
• Perform GL account reconciliations to ensure accurate financial postings
• Assist in the preparation and analysis of manufacturing and supply chain reports
• Review vendor invoices for raw material purchases and follow up on discrepancies

• Support cost accounting efforts for maintaining JSOX internal controls
• Assist with internal and external audit inquiries and samples
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of accounting policies and procedures
• Collaborate on multidisciplinary projects, driving solutions and process improvements
• Apply advanced understanding of supply chain workflows, manufacturing processes, and maintenance order activities as they relate to the general ledger
• Complete work efficiently and accurately, ensuring timeliness of deliverables
• Provide various administrative and practical support as needed

• Wearing PPE is a possibility and includes equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. A respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.

• Required:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline

• 4-6 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and procedures (GAAP, IFRS)
• Proficiency in SAP cost accounting
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel and database functions
• Ability to work effectively in both office and manufacturing environments
• Effective communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to handle confidential information responsibly
• Resilient, self‑motivated, and able to perform under pressure
• Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision
• Must have working‑level knowledge of the English language
• Alignment to Panasonic’s seven core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and teamwork, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)

• Experience with SAP S4/Hana
• Background in multi‑application IT environments, including electronic interfaces
• Experience with warehouse, stock management, and manufacturing operations
• Experience working with domestic and international teams

• CMA:
  Certified Management Accountant
• CPA:
  Certified Public Accountant
• MBA:
  Master of Business Administration

Physical

Activities:

Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 40%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 20%
• Lift: 10%

Required Lifting and Carrying:
Not required (0%) or occasional (1‑33%)—up to 10 lbs.; up to 20 lbs. not required; up to 35 lbs. not required; team‑lift only (over 35 lbs.) not required.

• Highly inclusive and class‑leading…