Sr. Cost Accountant

Description

We are looking for an experienced Sr. Cost Accountant to join a manufacturing-focused team in the Madison, WI area on a contract basis with the potential for a permanent position. This role will partner closely with operations and organizational leadership to strengthen cost visibility, address margin pressure, and identify opportunities to improve financial performance. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in manufacturing cost accounting and can translate detailed cost data into practical recommendations that support better operational decisions.

Responsibilities:

- Analyze product and production costs to identify margin trends, cost drivers, and areas of profitability improvement.

- Partner with operations leaders to evaluate manufacturing performance and recommend actions that enhance efficiency and cost control.

- Maintain and refine standard costing methods to ensure accurate inventory valuation and reliable product costing.

- Prepare detailed cost analyses, variance reporting, and financial insights for leadership review and decision-making.

- Monitor material, labor, and overhead spending to highlight deviations from expected results and support corrective action.

- Support month-end and periodic close activities related to inventory, cost of goods sold, and manufacturing accounting.

- Review costing processes and recommend improvements that strengthen reporting accuracy and operational visibility.

- Collaborate across finance and plant teams to provide guidance on cost impacts tied to production and process changes.

Requirements - Strong background in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment.

- Demonstrated experience with standard costing and cost variance analysis.

- Ability to assess margin performance and identify sources of cost erosion.

- Proven skill in translating cost data into actionable operational recommendations.

- Solid understanding of inventory accounting, cost of goods sold, and manufacturing overhead.

- Advanced analytical skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

- Effective communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with finance and operations teams.

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.

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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.

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