What are the responsibilities and job description for the Inventory Accountant position at Vaco by Highspring?
Inventory Accountant (Industrial/Manufacturing)
The Inventory Accountant is responsible for managing and analyzing all aspects of inventory accounting within an industrial manufacturing environment. This role ensures accuracy in inventory valuation, cost accounting, material flow reporting, and supports operational decision-making. The Inventory Accountant works closely with production, engineering, supply chain, and warehouse teams to maintain strong inventory controls and improve efficiency across the manufacturing process.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Accounting & Cost Management
Maintain and reconcile inventory-related general ledger accounts, including raw materials, WIP (work-in-progress), and finished goods.
Perform daily, weekly, and monthly reviews of inventory transactions and cost movements.
Analyze manufacturing variances, including labor, overhead absorption, scrap, and material usage.
Ensure proper costing of manufactured products, including BOM (bill of materials) and routing accuracy.
Support standard cost updates and assist in cost roll processes.
Operational Inventory Controls
Coordinate and oversee cycle counts across production and warehouse locations; analyze count results and drive corrective actions.
Support and lead annual physical inventory processes for raw materials, components, and finished goods.
Investigate and resolve discrepancies related to scrap, yield, consumption, and material returns.
Monitor inventory accuracy within ERP/MRP systems and collaborate with operations to correct transactional errors.
Reporting & Analysis
Prepare inventory analysis reports, production variance reports, and trend summaries for management.
Assist with KPI tracking such as inventory turns, shrink/scrap rates, and material usage accuracy.
Provide insight into inventory levels, slow-moving and obsolete materials, and recommend necessary accruals or reserves.
Participate in monthly and quarterly financial close activities, including preparing journal entries and reconciliations.
Compliance & Audit Support
Ensure inventory accounting practices comply with GAAP, internal controls, and company policies.
Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and explanations for inventory-related inquiries.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with manufacturing, quality control, procurement, warehouse, and engineering to ensure timely and accurate recording of inventory movements.
Support continuous improvement activities aimed at minimizing waste, improving inventory accuracy, and strengthening cost visibility.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (preferred).
3 years of experience in inventory accounting or cost accounting within an industrial or manufacturing environment (preferred).
Experience with ERP/MRP systems common in manufacturing (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Epicor, or similar).
Skills & Competencies
Strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting principles, including standard costing, BOMs, WIP, and labor/overhead absorption.
Advanced Excel skills—pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis tools.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.
Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced production environment.
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Working Conditions
Industrial manufacturing site environment; regular interaction with production floors, warehouses, and raw material storage areas.
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
Privacy Notice
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.