What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cost Accountant position at Thunderbird Molding?
Job Summary
The Cost Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate cost accounting records, analyzing variances, and providing actionable insights to support operational and financial decision-making. This role works closely with engineering, manufacturing, and management teams to ensure cost integrity, inventory accuracy, and continuous improvement in cost control processes.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
At Thunderbird, the collaborative relationship with our parent and partner companies allows us to better serve our customers – now and in the future. The Thunderbird family of American Manufacturing companies is driven by a mission to provide superior products and services, from prototype to delivery. Our dedicated leadership team's enduring vision is to hold and grow our companies to meet the higher needs of our global customers. We are guided by the unified pursuit of excellence, teamwork, and innovation. Thunderbird enables people to grow, companies to soar, and customers to succeed.
Benefits
The Cost Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate cost accounting records, analyzing variances, and providing actionable insights to support operational and financial decision-making. This role works closely with engineering, manufacturing, and management teams to ensure cost integrity, inventory accuracy, and continuous improvement in cost control processes.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Prepare weekly SOP, production, variance, and ad hoc reports for management review.
- Review and analyze planned versus actual costs, identify variances, and prepare detailed reports.
- Maintain labor and overhead rates to ensure accurate cost allocation.
- Analyze and investigate manufacturing variances, scrap, and rework costs through direct engagement with production teams.
- Produce internal metrics to enhance understanding and establish action items for cost control.
- Ensure accurate cost accounting across all locations.
- Analyze daily cost and shop order variances; reconcile inventory and review obsolete inventory monthly.
- Manage inventory for two locations, ensuring accuracy and integrity of financial data.
- Facilitate annual physical inventories and monthly cycle counts for both plant locations.
- Monitor inventory movements to maintain accuracy and identify process issues.
- Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and management to assess the impact of BOM (Bill of Materials) changes on cost centers.
- Assist plant personnel in researching inventory and financial discrepancies, resolving issues, and implementing preventive controls.
- Support month-end and year-end closing by analyzing inventory and preparing supplemental reports.
- Conduct product line profitability and cost analysis for management review.
- Participate in special projects as required.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required.
- Experience: 3–5 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Skills:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Knowledge of standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory management.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to work in an office and occasionally on the production floor.
- Some travel between plant locations may be required.
- Must be eligible to work for any company in the United States and be a "US Person" as defined by ITAR. Candidates will be required to pass drug screen and background check.
At Thunderbird, the collaborative relationship with our parent and partner companies allows us to better serve our customers – now and in the future. The Thunderbird family of American Manufacturing companies is driven by a mission to provide superior products and services, from prototype to delivery. Our dedicated leadership team's enduring vision is to hold and grow our companies to meet the higher needs of our global customers. We are guided by the unified pursuit of excellence, teamwork, and innovation. Thunderbird enables people to grow, companies to soar, and customers to succeed.
Benefits
- 401(k) with matching program.
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- 9 Paid Holidays