Cost Accountant - Beverly, MA

Cost Accountant

Location: Beverly, MA (Hybrid 3 days a week onsite)

Duration: 3-month contract with potential for extension

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a Cost Accountant to support financial operations within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role will be responsible for analyzing product costs, inventory, and manufacturing performance to help drive accurate financial reporting and operational decision-making.

The ideal candidate will partner closely with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Plant Leadership to ensure the integrity of cost data, support month-end close activities, and provide insight into manufacturing variances and cost trends. This position is highly focused on cost accounting, inventory analysis, and standard costing within a production setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Support all core cost accounting functions within a manufacturing environment, including standard cost maintenance and cost analysis
• Analyze material, labor, and overhead variances, and provide clear explanations for key fluctuations
• Assist with standard cost updates, cost roll-forwards, and ongoing review of product costing accuracy
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to monitor manufacturing performance, inventory movement, and production-related costs
• Support inventory accounting, including reconciliations, cycle count analysis, reserves, and valuation reviews
• Participate in the month-end close process, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and general ledger review related to inventory and cost of goods sold
• Prepare and deliver weekly, monthly, and ad hoc cost reports to support financial and operational decision-making
• Analyze actual manufacturing costs versus standard costs and identify opportunities for process improvement and cost savings
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting for COGS, inventory, and manufacturing expenses
• Help maintain strong internal controls and compliance with GAAP and SOX requirements related to inventory and cost accounting
• Support audit requests and documentation tied to inventory, costing, and manufacturing financial processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration
• Minimum 1 years of experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, or manufacturing accounting
• Strong understanding of cost accounting principles, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory accounting
• Experience within a manufacturing, industrial, or production environment strongly preferred
• Knowledge of GAAP and SOX controls related to inventory and cost accounting
• CPA or CMA certification is a plus

Skills & Experience

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret manufacturing cost drivers
• Experience with standard costing, BOM/routing review, and manufacturing variance analysis preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Experience working in an ERP system (SAP or Oracle preferred)
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently in a deadline-driven environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills