Cost Accountant

Job Summary

The Cost Accountant is responsible for ensuring robust control and accuracy of inventory and work-in-progress (WIP), alongside delivering insightful margin analysis to support profitability across our Sunderland manufacturing site. The role focuses on maintaining accurate product costing within JD Edwards, monitoring stock movements and valuation, and analysing cost and margin performance to identify risks and opportunities. Working closely with operations, the Cost Accountant provides critical insight into cost drivers, supports cost centre owners in managing spend, and contributes to FP&A activities while responding to the evolving analytical needs of the business.

• Develop, maintain, and review standard costs for raw materials, labour, and overheads
• Prepare and analyse cost variances, including material, labour, overhead, and purchase price variance (PPV)
• Perform detailed margin analysis by product, customer, or production line to support profitability improvement
• Manage and control inventory accounting, including raw materials, finished goods, and stock movements within JD Edwards
• Monitor and reconcile work-in-progress (WIP), ensuring accurate capitalisation and tracking of production costs
• Lead inventory counts and cycle count processes, investigating discrepancies and driving corrective actions
• Support the preparation and submission of VAT returns, ensuring compliance with UK regulations
• Partner with cost centre owners to provide detailed variance analysis on departmental spend, offering insight and challenge to support budget control
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and wider FP&A activities, including development of manufacturing cost assumptions
• Utilise JD Edwards ERP system to extract, analyse, and report financial and operational data
• Respond to ad hoc requests, providing timely and accurate financial analysis to meet business needs
• Contribute to process improvements, automation, and system enhancements within the finance and manufacturing environment

• CIMA / ACCA (or equivalent) qualified, or part-qualified
• Bachelors degree in Accounting / Finance preferred but not essential

• Strong understanding of cost accounting within a manufacturing environment
• Proven experience with standard costing, inventory control, and WIP accounting
• Knowledge of VAT processes and compliance requirements
• Proficiency in JD Edwards ERP system and advanced Excel skills
• Understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes

• Ability to effectively support and challenge cost centre owners through financial insight
• Strong communication skills to translate financial data into clear, actionable messages
• Collaborative approach with cross‑functional teams including operations and supply chain

• High level of integrity and accountability
• Proactive, flexible approach to supporting ad hoc business requirements
• Continuous improvement mindset with focus on efficiency and value creation

5+ years experience in Manufacturing or industrial environment (highly desirable)

• Cost accounting / management accounting roles
• Inventory and WIP control
• Standard costing and variance analysis (incl. PPV)
• Margin / profitability analysis
• Month‑end processes
• Working with ERP systems (JD Edwards preferred)

Site based in Sunderland with occasional travel to meet requirements of role

• 25 days holiday and bank holidays (Option to purchase additional 5 days)
• 7% Employer pension contribution
• Westfield Health medical cash plan cover
• Death in service benefit of 4 x salary
• Cycle scheme (after probation period)
• Electric car scheme (after one year of employment)
• 10% of salary in shares (after one year of employment)
• Employee assistance program
• Enhanced maternity & paternity policies
• Linked In Learning access

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Ingersoll Rand is committed to achieving workforce diversity reflective of our communities. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request and a member of our team will contact you.