Director of Cost Accounting

Description

We are looking for an experienced Director of Cost Accounting to support a manufacturing organization in the Woburn, Massachusetts area through a Part-Time/Long-term Contract engagement. This role will guide the cost accounting function across close activities, inventory oversight, and profitability analysis while partnering closely with operational and financial leaders. The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in manufacturing environments and can deliver accurate reporting, disciplined controls, and meaningful insights for business planning and performance.

Responsibilities:

- Direct monthly and quarterly cost accounting close activities to ensure timely and accurate financial results for the manufacturing operation.

- Oversee inventory accounting processes, including reconciliations, reserve analysis, cycle count programs, and physical inventory execution.

- Lead product costing efforts and evaluate manufacturing margins to provide clear visibility into cost drivers and profitability trends.

- Prepare and review budget, forecast, and actual performance analyses related to inventory, production costs, and margin results.

- Supervise and develop cost accounting team members while setting priorities and maintaining high standards for accuracy and accountability.

- Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, and FP& A to align financial analysis with production activity, inventory movements, and business planning needs.

- Review inventory valuation, cost variances, and budget-to-actual performance to identify issues, explain results, and recommend corrective actions.

- Support audit readiness, financial reporting accuracy, and compliance with internal control requirements in a manufacturing accounting environment.

Requirements - CPA designation preferred, with strong leadership experience in cost accounting or manufacturing accounting functions.

- Demonstrated expertise in month-end close processes within a manufacturing environment.

- Strong background in standard costing, standard cost accounting, and inventory valuation methodologies.

- Experience performing detailed reviews of cost, margin, and variance analysis to support financial decision-making.

- Knowledge of financial reporting, financial statement audits, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements.

- Ability to manage accounting staff and work effectively with cross-functional teams across operations, supply chain, and finance.

- Proven capability in budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing budget-to-actual performance for manufacturing operations.

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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