Cost Accountant

Job Description

At Pentair, you will work alongside passionate problem-solvers who are committed to the future of our planet. We put our purpose into practice, helping people sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life's most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, our 9,750 global employees serve customers in more than 150 countries, working to help improve lives and the environment around the world.

We have an opportunity for a Cost Accountant to join our North America Cost Accounting team in Sanford, NC. In this role, you will ensure accurate product costing and provide financial insights that will help drive operational and business decisions. While your primary focus will be the Sanford facility, you may also support other sites as needed. You’ll partner closely with teams across the organization—from shop floor operations to the senior level financial leadership—to maintain standard costs, analyze variances, and improve reporting processes.

** You will work a hybrid work schedule (3 days/week on-site) in Sanford, NC. **

You Will

• Develop and maintain standard costs for all inventory items in SAP S/4HANA in alignment with company policies.
• Review product change orders (PCO) and update labor, overhead, and burden rates.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and collaborate with Engineering to ensure accurate costing of new and updated items.
• Perform annual cost rolls (annual update of standard costs, labor, and overhead rates) and analyze cost and margin impacts.
• Analyze cost and margin impacts, providing insights to Finance and Operations leadership teams.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Materials teams on inventory adjustments, cycle counts, and non-conforming materials.
• Support month-end close activities including reporting, journal entries, and variance analysis.
• Conduct quarterly reviews of third-party warehouse inventory and support audit requests.
• Provide cost analysis for initiatives such as insourcing, productivity projects, and process changes.
• Contribute to developing new reporting and standardized processes across the Cost Accounting function.

Key Qualifications

• Have earned a bachelor’s (B.A. or B.S.) degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Have 5 years of related accounting or finance experience, including exposure to cost accounting or manufacturing finance.
• Strong understanding of standard costing concepts, variance analysis, and inventory management.
• Proficiency in Excel; SAP ECC or S/4HANA experience strongly preferred.
• Exposure to BI, SQL, or other data analytics tools a plus.
• Ability to work effectively with teams across operations, engineering, supply chain, IT, and finance leadership.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while also thriving in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.

Compensation

For this full-time position working at this location, the anticipated annualized base pay will be $71000 – $131800 / year. At Pentair, it is not typical for an individual to be hired near the bottom or top of the pay range. Pentair considers various factors in determining actual compensation for this position at the expected location. Actual compensation will be commensurate with a demonstrable level of experience and training, pertinent education including licensure and certifications, work location, and other relevant business or organizational needs. This position may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as an annual incentive bonus.

Benefits

As a Pentair employee, you would enjoy a wide array of benefit options to help keep you and your family healthy and protected, health benefits, a generous 401(k), employee stock purchase program, disability benefits, life insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, parental leave, caregiver leave, tuition reimbursement, plus paid time off and wellness programs to encourage a healthy work/life balance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pentair is an Equal Opportunity Employer. With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day.