What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Cost Accountant position at Metropak, LLC.?
Company Description
Metropak, LLC is a trusted leader in the bag manufacturing industry, known for its reliability and exceptional customer service. Recognized with over eight accolades, including the prestigious Promotional Products Association International - Golden Achievement Award, Metropak prides itself on delivering innovative and high-quality solutions to distributors. As the go-to source for bags, Metropak remains committed to fostering excellence and industry leadership.
Position Summary
The Cost Accountant is responsible for providing accurate and timely cost and financial information to support manufacturing operations and management decision-making. This role is primarily cost accounting–focused (approximately 75%), with the remaining 25% dedicated to general accounting and month-end close activities. The ideal candidate has hands-on manufacturing cost accounting experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to partner cross-functionally with operations, production, and accounting teams.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Accounting (Approximately 75%)
- Prepare and analyze monthly manufacturing cost and margin reports, including revenue, cost of sales, productivity, and profitability analysis.
- Analyze actual vs. FIFO cost, investigate variances, and communicate root causes to management.
- Maintain and update Bills of Materials (BOMs), including labor, overhead, and burden rates.
- Develop and analyze overhead absorption rates and cost allocation methodologies.
- Reconcile work-in-process (WIP) and inventory accounts from perpetual systems to the general ledger.
- Manage and oversee the cycle count program, including variance research and resolution.
- Compile cost and manufacturing expense data to support budgeting and forecasting activities.
- Support cost modeling, pricing analysis, and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Gain and maintain a strong understanding of manufacturing processes to ensure accurate cost application.
General Accounting (Approximately 25%)
· Provide management with monthly reports analyzing revenue and cost of sales, specifying factors affecting the profitability of products or services, other margin analysis, and factory productivity/cost.
- Prepare and post month-end journal entries related to inventory, accruals, and manufacturing costs.
- Perform general ledger account reconciliations and related analysis.
- Assist with the month-end and year-end close process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Support financial statement preparation in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
- Assist with external audits by preparing schedules and responding to auditor inquiries.
- Maintain adherence to internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
Experience
- 3–7 years of progressive accounting experience
- Minimum of 3–5 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of inventory flow, BOMs, and manufacturing cost structures
- ERP system experience required (BC Business Central, Printvis)
Technical & Professional Skills
- Standard costing and variance analysis
- Inventory valuation and WIP reconciliation
- Cost allocation and overhead analysis
- Budgeting and forecasting (manufacturing-focused)
- Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, financial analysis)
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills
- Ability to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders
- High attention to detail, accuracy, and deadlines
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Manufacturing or industrial industry experience
- Experience supporting cost reduction or process improvement initiatives
- Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or operational efficiency programs
- Advanced ERP reporting and data analytics experience