Cost Accounting Analyst – Accounting and Finance

Position Overview

We seek a highly analytical and operationally engaged Cost Accounting Analyst to support our manufacturing locations in North Phoenix and Tempe. This role is a hybrid between cost accounting and financial planning & analysis, combining strong technical accounting capabilities, analytic skills, and forward‑looking financial insight. This individual will partner with plant leadership to make informed decisions about pricing, operational efficiency, and product profitability.

The role requires booking journal entries, explaining standard vs. actual variances, analyzing SKU‑level margins, reporting financial results, and building budgets and forecasts. Daily in‑office presence is required.

Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident due to ITAR requirements.

• Maintain and enhance standard costing systems (labor, overhead, material standards).
• Ensure inventory accuracy and cost integrity in the ERP system.
• Analyze and report on standard vs. actual variances (labor, material, overhead, purchase price, absorption, mix/volume).
• Prepare and post journal entries for inventory, reserves, accruals, and cost allocations.
• Partner with operations to review BOMs, routings, and cost drivers for accuracy.
• Perform daily/weekly SKU‑level margin analysis to identify pricing, mix, scrap, labor efficiency, and overhead absorption issues.
• Monitor KPIs including gross margin, absorption, labor efficiency, scrap, and PPV.
• Develop actionable insights and recommendations to improve margins and working capital.
• Create and maintain financial models to support operational and pricing decisions.
• Support annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes.
• Act as a financial advisor to site managers and the CFO.
• Translate financial results into operational language and actionable next steps.
• Proactively identify and communicate areas of margin erosion or cost leakage.
• Participate in operational meetings and drive accountability through data.

Variance analysis is timely, clear, and drives action. SKU margin visibility improves pricing discipline and cost management. Standards are accurate and reflect operational reality. Operations leaders view finance as a value‑added partner, not just a reporting function. Plan vs. actual gaps are identified early and addressed proactively.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• 3+ years of experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of standard and absorption costing, variance analysis, manufacturing overhead allocation, inventory accounting.
• Experience preparing and posting journal entries.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, financial modeling).
• Qualitative and quantitative analytic skills.
• Strong communication skills – able to explain financial results to non‑financial stakeholders.
• Preferred:
  Experience in aerospace, defense, precision machining, or discrete manufacturing.
• Preferred: CMA or CPA certification.
• ERP experience in a manufacturing system.

• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in both accounting and forward‑looking planning environments.
• Curious – asks 'why' and digs into root causes.
• Operationally minded and business‑oriented.
• Self‑starter who thrives in a hands‑on manufacturing environment.
• Comfortable challenging assumptions.
• Able to toggle between tactical execution (journal entries) and strategic analysis (margin improvement).

This position sits at the intersection of accounting discipline and operational performance. It is critical to ensure cost integrity, increase product margins, and provide financial visibility across manufacturing sites and the business in general. The successful candidate will directly influence profitability and serve as a trusted financial partner to site management and business finance leadership.

VMI Group is an equal‑opportunity employer providing competitive wages and benefits. Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance available. 401(k) with company match. This company does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on age, race, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or any other protected classification. The firm is a VEVRAA federal subcontractor and provides equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disabilities in compliance with federal and state laws including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Age Discrimination Act of 1967 as amended, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2009, the Wagner‑Peyser Act as amended, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.