Cost Accountant

Position Summary

The Cost Accountant is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of manufacturing cost data, inventory valuation, and financial analysis for the River Falls facility. This role partners with operations, supply chain, and finance leadership to support informed decision-making, improve profitability, and strengthen financial controls. The position combines strong cost accounting expertise with analytical skills and a continuous improvement mindset.

Financial Reporting, Controls & Compliance

• Lead the monthly close process and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting and account reconciliations related to inventory and fixed assets.
• Ensure accurate accounting for inventory, fixed assets, and other balance sheet accounts as appropriate.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment, including inventory controls, segregation of duties, asset protection, and policy compliance.
• Support internal and external audits and lead remediation activities when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and corporate policies.

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Analysis and communication of site financial performance, highlighting key drivers, risks, opportunities, and corrective actions as it relates to cost of sales.
• Translate complex financial information into actionable business insights that support operational decision-making.
• Support growth initiatives through financial analysis, capital investment evaluations, and business case development.

Manufacturing Finance & Cost Accounting

• Maintain accurate product costing and inventory valuation in accordance with company policies and accounting standards with support from operations.
• Analyze and explain manufacturing variances, including labor, material, yield, scrap, overhead absorption, and production efficiency.
• Partner with operations to identify cost reduction, productivity improvement, and profitability enhancement opportunities.
• Lead inventory reconciliations, cycle count reviews, and physical inventory processes.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and own annual standard cost updates.
  Maintain an active presence within the manufacturing operation to better understand drivers of financial performance.

Working Capital & Inventory Management

• Identify and execute improvements in working capital performance through effective inventory management.
• Support supply chain and operations teams to optimize raw material and finished goods inventory levels.
• Lead cycle count governance and annual physical inventory processes while improving inventory accuracy.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
• Own the fixed asset and capital expenditure process, including capital request preparation and review, project tracking, asset capitalization, depreciation oversight, and reporting of key financial metrics related to capital investments.

ERP Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Support ERP transition, optimization, and process standardization initiatives.
• Improve financial reporting, data integrity, and decision-support capabilities through enhanced systems utilization.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, eliminate waste, and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Support a culture of continuous improvement across finance and operational functions.

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3-5 years of progressive accounting and finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in general ledger accounting, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience partnering with operations, supply chain, and site leadership teams to drive business performance.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence decision-making across multiple functional areas.

Preferred

• CPA, CMA, or MBA.
• Experience with JD Edwards (JDE) or similar ERP platforms.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Travel

• Minimal travel, as required.

Last Application Date 2027-02-05