Cost Accountant

DEHN protects. Two words, a big promise. The motto of our company has been both an obligation and an incentive since 1910 of our family-owned company. Headquartered in Neumarkt, Germany, DEHN’s mission is to provide world-class Lightning and Surge protection solutions for people, building installations and electrical/electronic devices and systems against the effects of lightning and surges. For the past 115 years, we have been leading the development in surge protection, lightning protection and safety equipment, making DEHN the most experienced and trusted expert for a total product concept.

Business Overview

DEHN Inc. is the USA subsidiary for DEHN SE (ISO 9001/14001certified). We focus on solutions for lightning and surge-related problems as they apply to the North American market. These solutions include education, technical assistance, system design, risk assessments and site surveys in addition to lightning and electrical surge protection products.

Our customers include commercial, communications, energy, electronics, industrial, hospitality, infrastructure, medical, security & defense markets. Companies depend on DEHN solutions to ensure their facilities and assets run efficiently and without fail, protecting the plant, people, equipment and the critical services they provide to the public and industry. With over 115 years in business, we have 2 words. DEHN protects.

DEHN is seeking a highly analytical and business-oriented Cost Accountant to support strategic decision-making, financial planning, operational performance analysis, and profitability improvement initiatives. This role serves as a key business partner to Sales, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership by providing timely financial insights, forecasting, budgeting, and cost analysis.

The ideal candidate combines strong financial acumen with manufacturing industry experience and the ability to translate complex financial information into actionable business recommendations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Product Costing

• Maintain standard costs for all manufactured and purchased products.
• Review and update Bills of Material (BOMs) and routing information in partnership with Engineering.
• Analyze material, labor, and manufacturing overhead costs.
• Perform new product costing and support quotation activities as required.
• Validate product cost changes resulting from engineering revisions or supplier price changes.
• Participate in annual standard cost roll processes.

Manufacturing Accounting

• Analyze manufacturing variances including:
• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Material Usage Variance
• Labor Variance
• Manufacturing Overhead Variance
• Production Efficiency Variance
• Prepare monthly manufacturing cost reports and communicate results to management.
• Monitor manufacturing KPIs and identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Support monthly financial close activities related to inventory and cost accounting.

Inventory Management

• Reconcile inventory subledger to the general ledger.
• Monitor inventory valuation and reserve calculations.
• Participate in physical inventories and cycle count programs.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with company inventory control procedures.

Financial Analysis

• Prepare profitability analyses by product line, customer, and business segment.
• Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting.
• Analyze manufacturing trends and provide recommendations to improve profitability.
• Support capital investment analysis and manufacturing improvement projects.

ERP & Systems

• Maintain costing data within SAP.
• Ensure master data accuracy related to costing.
• Assist with ERP enhancements and process improvements.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools utilizing SAP and Microsoft Excel.
• Support implementation of best practices in manufacturing accounting.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Maintain documentation supporting inventory valuation and standard costing.
• Assist internal and external auditors with inventory and cost accounting requests.
• Support SOX/internal control compliance where applicable.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to strengthen internal controls.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with standard costing and inventory accounting required.
• Experience with SAP ERP strongly preferred.
• Experience in electrical manufacturing or industrial manufacturing is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting principles.
• Knowledge of standard costing methodologies.
• Strong understanding of inventory valuation.
• Experience with BOM structures and manufacturing routings.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including PivotTables, Power Query, and complex formulas.
• Experience with SAP reporting and analysis.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy of product standard costs.
• Timeliness of monthly cost accounting close.
• Inventory accuracy and reconciliation performance.
• Manufacturing variance analysis completed on schedule.
• Support of annual standard cost roll.
• Inventory reserve accuracy.
• Cost savings identified through financial analysis.
• Timely completion of physical inventory reconciliations.
• Audit findings related to inventory and cost accounting.
• Continuous improvement initiatives completed.

Working Conditions

• Office environment with regular interaction on the manufacturing floor.
• Participation in physical inventory counts outside normal business hours may be required.
• Occasional travel to other DEHN facilities may be required.

DEHN Core Competencies

• Integrity & Accountability
• Customer Focus
• Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement
• Innovation
• Quality
• Safety
• Results Orientation

Why Join DEHN?

DEHN is a global leader in lightning protection, surge protection, and safety solutions. This position offers the opportunity to directly influence business performance, partner with senior leadership, and contribute to the continued growth of a highly respected international organization committed to innovation, quality, and customer success.

Physical demands

• May occasionally require lifting, pulling, and carrying up to ten (10) pounds
• Frequent sitting, occasional bending, climbing, pulling, pushing, and reaching overhead

Disclaimers

DEHN Inc. reserves the right to revise, change or modify the duties and responsibilities of this position at any time to meet business needs, with or without notice. This job description may not list all duties for this position. This job description is not a contract of employment, and all employment unless otherwise disclosed is “at will” and either the incumbent or the company may terminate employment at any time for any reason.

DEHN Inc. is an equal opportunity, inclusive employer and will consider all applicants for employment with the Company based on merit, competence, and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.