Manufacturing Cost Accountant

on-site location: tempe (priest & broadway) requirement

must be a us citizen or permanent resident due to itar requirements

full time, exempt

aerospace & defense manufacturing

we seek a highly analytical and operationally engaged cost accounting specialist to support our manufacturing location in tempe. This role is a manufacturing cost accounting role requiring strong technical accounting capabilities, with analytic skills, and forward-looking financial insight.

this individual will be a business partner with plant leadership to assist in making informed decisions about pricing, operational efficiency and product profitability. The role requires someone comfortable booking journal entries, explaining standard vs. Actual variances, analyzing sku-level margins, reporting financial results to management, and building budgets and forecasts.

daily in-office presence is required.

• 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 / 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 is required.
• 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.

• experience in aerospace, defense, precision machining, or discrete manufacturing.
• cma or cpa certification.
• erp experience in a manufacturing system.

the above job description reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified. It is not to be construed as a detailed summary of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job, and may be revised from time to time.

team oriented company with top paying wages and benefits in the valley in regards to the aerospace industry. To qualify for consideration, all candidates must be able to work 40+ hours per week in a fast paced, high-demand, quality environment. All candidates must also have sufficient verbal and written communication skills as well as good problem solving skills.

cmi group is equal opportunity employer providing competitive wages and benefits. Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance available. 401(k) with company match

cmi group is a federal subcontractor and maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal drug-free…