Cost Accountant

Description

Our client, a growing manufacturing organization in Houston, is seeking a Cost Accountant to support plant operations through detailed cost analysis, inventory management, budgeting, and financial reporting. This role is ideal for a hands-on manufacturing finance professional who enjoys partnering with operations to drive cost control, improve profitability, and support strategic decision-making.

Reporting to the Cost Accounting Manager, this position will play a critical role in analyzing product costs, monitoring manufacturing performance, and ensuring accurate financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

+ Perform product costing and material cost analyses to support accurate manufacturing valuations.

+ Maintain and optimize standard costing processes and methodologies.

+ Monitor fixed and variable manufacturing costs and conduct detailed variance analyses.

+ Analyze labor, inventory, and production costs to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.

+ Lead inventory analyses and reconciliations, including support of physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.

+ Monitor and report on key plant financial metrics, KPIs, and operational performance indicators.

+ Participate in month-end close activities, including:

+ Journal entries

+ Account reconciliations

+ Balance sheet and income statement variance analysis

+ Financial and compliance reporting

+ Partner with production, operations, supply chain, and finance teams to support business objectives.

+ Assist with the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and ongoing financial planning activities.

+ Track actual performance against budget and identify operational and financial risks.

Requirements

+ Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

+ 5+ years of progressive accounting, cost accounting, or financial analysis experience within a manufacturing environment.

+ Strong understanding of:

+ Standard costing

+ Inventory accounting

+ Manufacturing cost control

+ Variance analysis

+ Financial reporting

+ Experience supporting month-end close processes and budgeting activities.

+ SAP experience, particularly within the Controlling (CO) module, is highly preferred.

+ Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

+ Ability to communicate effectively across finance, production, operations, and supply chain teams.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

+ Manufacturing industry experience required.

+ Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

+ Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

+ Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on process optimization.

+ Collaborative team player with strong decision-making capabilities.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

+ Join a well-established manufacturing organization with a strong operational footprint.

+ High visibility role supporting plant leadership and key business initiatives.

+ Opportunity to influence cost control, profitability, and operational performance.

+ Competitive compensation and hybrid work flexibility.

+ Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

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