What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cost Accounting Manager position at Bell & Associates, Inc.?
About the Company
The Cost Accounting Manager will lead product costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing financial analysis, and cost governance across a complex manufacturing environment. This individual will serve as a key business partner to Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Commercial leadership by providing financial insight that supports operational decision-making, process improvement, and profitability initiatives.
About the Role
The ideal candidate combines strong technical cost accounting expertise with the ability to communicate financial information to non-financial leaders and drive continuous improvement across multiple functional areas.
Responsibilities
- Lead all standard costing activities, including annual updates, ongoing maintenance, and governance of product costs.
- Partner with manufacturing leadership to improve cost visibility, operational performance, and margin expansion.
- Analyze manufacturing variances, inventory trends, labor utilization, material costs, and overhead performance to identify improvement opportunities.
- Collaborate with Engineering and Product Development teams to evaluate the financial impact of new products, design modifications, and process improvements.
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives through cost analysis, supplier evaluations, and financial modeling.
- Develop cost models to support pricing strategies, capital investments, and business planning.
- Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to identify cost reduction opportunities and measure the financial impact of continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead inventory valuation activities and ensure the accuracy of product costing within the ERP system.
- Improve costing methodologies, reporting processes, internal controls, and financial analytics.
- Prepare and present financial reporting, KPI dashboards, and profitability analysis to finance and operational leadership.
- Support monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities related to inventory and manufacturing accounting.
- Coordinate internal and external audit requests while ensuring compliance with accounting policies and internal control requirements.
- Drive process improvements through automation, reporting enhancements, and improved use of financial data.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
- CPA or CMA preferred.
- 7 years of progressive experience in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, or operations accounting.
- Strong understanding of:
- Standard costing
- Inventory accounting
- Manufacturing variances
- Cost analysis
- ERP systems
- Experience partnering with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and operations leadership.
- Advanced Excel skills with experience utilizing business intelligence and reporting tools.
- Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and driving process improvements.
- Knowledge of internal controls and audit requirements.
Salary : $120,000 - $140,000