JLS Automation is currently accepting candidates for a Cost Accountant for our corporate office in York, PA. The Cost Accountant will work with a leader in primary and secondary packaging machinery for the food manufacturing industry using cutting-edge robotics technology. We have an exceptional customer-focused and employee-centered culture in a heavy growth mode. JLS® offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance starting on day one!

Cost Accountant Job Objective

The Cost Accountant will assist with all aspects of accounting as it pertains to the day-to-day operations of the company. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director of Finance and Accounting.

Cost Accountant Duties and Responsibilities

• Become the finance expert on inventory processes and transactions within the system, throughout the whole inventory & cost of goods flow, from material requirement / Pos/receipt of goods to the making/shipping/installation / and closing of projects
• Partner with Operations, Shipping/Receiving, and the Materials/Purchasing group to maintain & track stock inventory, job inventory, and work in process inventory, ensuring the accuracy of the system
• Implement, support, track, and analyze cycle counts, as well as full count physical inventories when needed
• Perform month-end inventory reconciliations, and roll forwards as needed
• Track, analyze, and report on costs and margins of the various revenue/cost streams (Systems, Installation, Freight, Warranty, Parts, Service, After Market, etc.) on a monthly, yearly, and as-needed basis
• Track, analyze, and report on the cost of goods sold related variances (Work Order, Usage, PPV, Freight In, Inventory Adjustments, Std Cost Adjustments, Direct Labor, etc.) on a monthly, yearly, and as-needed basis
• Lead the calculation, maintenance, and development of standard costs (materials, labor, and overhead rates), implementing the updates in the system as needed, annually at a minimum
• Implement, maintain, and update an Inventory Reserve for slow-moving or obsolete inventory
• Track, update, analyze, and report on project financial status throughout the project, including actual costs compared to the original budget and last forecast, as well as provide feedback on the financial result of projects during job closeout meetings
• Assist and support in the annual budget and periodic forecast preparation as needed
• Become the reporting expert on all activities related to the cost of goods sold, variances, updating costs, and inventory
• Develop, analyze, and assess estimates of new and proposed product costs
• Provide management with reports specifying and comparing factors affecting prices and profitability of products and service
• Support employees inside and outside the department
• Perform root cause analysis and the traceback of variances to the underlying activities
• Analyzes monthly results and trending data to support the forecasting process, including risk and opportunity assessments
• Other duties as assigned

Cost Accountant Qualifications

• Required: B.S. in either Finance or Accounting and 5 years’ experience in Cost Accounting in a manufacturing environment
• Must have strong Cost systems background and analytical skills
• Proven ability to accurately prepare daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports
• This position requires organizational, accounting, and both verbal and written communication skills
• Must possess the analytical ability necessary to gather and summarize information, resolve problems as necessary, be able to determine the appropriate course of action, and understand the business to escalate issues to the appropriate person within the company as necessary
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office, most specifically Excel, is required. Must also possess excellent data entry skills. Accuracy is key
• Always demonstrates highly ethical behavior and good judgment
• Willingly takes on additional assignments as requested
• Ensures accurate, timely completion of assigned responsibilities/projects
• Respectfully accepts coaching and guidance provided constructively in order to continually improve, grow, absorb, and adapt

Cost Accountant Background Preferred

• JobScope experience
• Crystal Reporting experience
• SQL experience
• Equipment or project-based cost tracking