Cost Accountant

#ComeJoinTheFun with us a our Cost Accountant and be part of #MakingCandyFun!

At R.M. Palmer Company, our mission is clear: Driving innovation that celebrates life’s special moments by focusing on value and integrity while making candy fun in everything we do.

We take pride in blending creativity and tradition to deliver products that spark joy, bring smiles, and create lasting memories, one chocolate at a time. Join a team where your work makes life a little sweeter every day!

The Cost Accountant is responsible for maintaining and improving the company’s cost accounting systems and ensuring accurate inventory valuation. This role analyzes standard costs, manufacturing variances, and margins while supporting cost improvement initiatives across operations.

Cost Accountant Responsibilites:

• Perform month-end close activities related to cost accounting, including journal entries, reconciliations, variance analysis, metric calculations, and financial reporting.
• Analyze actual production costs versus standard costs and provide variance explanations.
• Support product pricing and margin analysis to assist in achieving product line profitability targets.
• Provide cost analysis and financial impact assessments for new product programs and operational changes.
• Establish and maintain standard costs for raw materials, packaging, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs), labor routings, and manufacturing overhead rates.
• Manage cost roll-ups and periodic standard cost updates.
• Analyze changes in product design, raw materials, or manufacturing methods to determine cost impact.
• Manage inventory costing across multiple warehouses and manufacturing operations.
• Reconcile perpetual inventory balances to the general ledger.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and collaborate with Operations to resolve issues.
• Conduct inventory reserve analysis, including excess and obsolete inventory (E&O) and aging reports.
• Support physical inventories and cycle count programs.
• Monitor key operational and financial metrics including: Manufacturing variances, Purchase Price Variances (PPV), On-Time In-Full (OTIF) delivery, Continuous improvement initiatives
• Conduct root cause analysis of variances and support implementation of corrective actions.
• Assist with process improvements and development of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Represent Finance on cross-functional teams focused on cost reduction and operational efficiency.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of costing and inventory data within ERP and MES systems.
• Collaborate with inventory control, production, and order processing teams to maintain system accuracy.
• Develop financial and operational reports using Excel, Power BI, and other analytical tools.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, and Finance to support business initiatives.
• Coordinate financial reporting and analysis related to contract manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain operations.
• Provide financial insights to support strategic decision-making and cost optimization.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Economics required.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CMA, or Supply Chain certifications are a plus.
• 5 years of cost accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with manufacturing operations and end-to-end supply chain functions.
• Experience with ERP / MRP / WMS systems preferred.
• Experience working with international contract manufacturers or third-party suppliers is a plus.
• Experience in consumer products or manufacturing industries preferred.
• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting tools such as SQL, MS Access, Essbase, Cognos, or similar systems preferred.
• Power BI experience is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze large data sets.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Continuous improvement mindset with familiarity with Lean or operational excellence principles.