Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant

We are looking for a Cost Accountant to support manufacturing finance operations in Sparta, Wisconsin by delivering accurate cost data and practical analysis that guide production, inventory, and pricing decisions. This role partners with plant and finance teams to evaluate product costs, explain margin performance, and strengthen reporting used by leadership. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in manufacturing accounting, strong analytical judgment, and the ability to translate detailed cost information into actionable business insight.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze inventory valuation, manufacturing spending, and product margins to identify trends, explain cost movement, and connect results to operational drivers.
• Build and oversee reliable methods for collecting cost data, ensuring information is organized in a way that supports accurate financial reporting and decision-making.
• Establish and refine internal controls related to cost tracking and reporting so plant and financial data remain dependable and consistent.
• Maintain labor and overhead absorption rates across plants and work centers, updating assumptions as needed to reflect operational activity.
• Lead physical inventory and cycle count activities, research discrepancies, and work with operations teams to correct root causes of variances.
• Manage standard cost records, compare actual results to expected costs, and prepare variance analysis to highlight exceptions and support corrective action.
• Prepare recurring reports and month-end schedules related to inventory, material costs, plant performance, and margin results, including reconciliations and necessary adjustments.
• Review inventory for obsolescence exposure and coordinate appropriate disposition actions to reduce excess and outdated stock.
• Spend time in manufacturing areas to better understand process flow, reporting issues, and factors affecting product cost structure.
• Contribute to broader accounting projects and departmental priorities as needed.