Cost Accountant - Manufacturing

Position Summary

The Cost Accountant supports the financial operations of CIG’s U.S. solar module manufacturing facility by developing, analyzing, and maintaining accurate product and production cost data. This role is responsible for standard cost maintenance, inventory valuation, variance analysis, and operational cost reporting. The ideal candidate brings strong manufacturing cost accounting experience, excellent analytical capabilities, and the ability to partner closely with operations, engineering, and supply chain to improve cost accuracy, production efficiency, and overall financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Analysis

• Maintain and update standard costs for raw materials, components, labor, and overhead in alignment with production changes and company cost-accounting policies.
• Analyze manufacturing cost variances, including purchase price variance, material usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption, scrap, and yield performance.
• Perform month-end cost accounting close activities, including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Prepare detailed reports for COGM/COGS, production variances, and cost trend analysis.
• Support margin analysis by SKU, product line, and customer as assigned by the Controller.
• Assist in maintaining accurate routing and BOM structures within the ERP system.
  
  

Inventory Management

• Perform routine inventory reconciliations across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Support cycle counts and physical inventory audits; ensure adherence to corporate inventory control policies.
• Validate BOM accuracy, routing standards, and material consumption to ensure alignment between financial and operational data.
  
  

Production & Operations Support

• Partner with operations, engineering, and supply chain to understand cost drivers and identify efficiency improvements.
• Evaluate the cost impact of process changes, new products, engineering updates, and material substitutions.
• Assist with make-vs-buy analyses, cost estimates for new products, and review of capital expenditure proposals.
• Provide operational cost insights to support continuous improvement, yield optimization, and scrap reduction initiatives.
  
  

Financial Reporting & Support

• Support the Controller in preparing forecasts, budgets, and cost variance explanations.
• Prepare cost-related dashboards and KPI reporting (e.g., scrap, throughput, yield, absorption, labor efficiency).
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, manufacturing cost accounting standards, internal control requirements, and company policies.
• Maintain proper documentation and audit support for cost accounting areas.
  
  

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification.
  
  

Experience

• 3 years of accounting/finance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience within solar, semiconductor, electronics, or other high-volume manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with financial software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Experience in financial reporting, cost accounting, and standard costing in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
  
  

Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and cost accounting principles.
• Advanced Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables, cost modeling).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence operations and engineering partners.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  
  

We offer a competitive salary, robust benefits, paid time off and growth opportunities.