Senior Cost Accountant

Job Title: Snr. Cost Accountant

Location: Northern New Jersey (On-site)

Reports To: CFO

Industry: Manufacturing (Multi-Company Group)

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

We’re looking for a hands-on senior cost accountant who has a deep understanding of standard costing - how to implement, maintain, and analyze costs effectively. This includes proficiency with Bill of Materials (BOMs), routings, labor rates, overhead application, and the process of setting and rolling costs. Candidate must know the nuances of how changes in production, materials, or processes impact standard costs and the resulting variances.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a results-oriented and detail-driven Senior Cost Accountant to lead and optimize the cost accounting function across our group of manufacturing companies. This is a critical role responsible for managing all aspects of standard costing, inventory valuation, cost controls, and financial analysis to support operational performance and strategic decision-making. This is a hands-on, high-impact role, critical to driving cost transparency, margin analysis, and operational efficiency across the organization.

The Senior Cost Accountant will collaborate closely with plant operations, supply chain, and executive management to ensure cost transparency, consistency, and compliance across all entities.

Key Responsibilities:

Standard Cost Management

• Strengthen and maintain a robust standard cost framework for all products, materials, and production processes across all business units to ensure cost accuracy, operational consistency, and strategic financial visibility.
• Collaborate with operations, production and engineering teams to review bills of materials (BOMs), routings, and labor/machine rates and ensure cost accuracy.
• Review and manage the updating of bills of materials (BOMs), routings, labor rates, and overhead allocations.
• Analyze manufacturing costs and provide recommendations for cost reduction and process improvements.

Cost & Variance Analysis

• Lead monthly cost analysis and reporting, including purchase price variance (PPV), labor and overhead variances, and absorption metrics.
• Identify cost trends, drivers, and opportunities for savings.
• Provide cost-based insights to support pricing, make vs. buy decisions, and operational improvements.

Inventory & Manufacturing Accounting

• Oversee inventory valuation, reconciliations, cycle counts, and annual physical inventory processes.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and company policies for inventory and COGS.
• Partner with plant controllers to ensure accurate valuation of inventory (raw materials, WIP, finished goods).
• Review and validate inventory reserves and obsolescence provisions.

Financial Leadership & Controls

• Support the monthly close process with timely and accurate cost entries, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Collaborate on budget and forecast processes for manufacturing costs and cost of goods sold.
• Strengthen internal controls and audit readiness related to cost accounting and inventory.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Act as the finance lead for cost accounting and serve as a subject matter expert for costing within the ERP system (Plex).
• Drive continuous improvement in cost reporting, standardization, and automation of costing processes.
• Drive process automation and data standardization across entities.
• Lead or support finance-related initiatives tied to operational efficiency and profitability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or CMA preferred.
• 5 years of progressive experience in manufacturing cost accounting, including 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Deep understanding of standard costing, BOMs, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Strong ERP system experience, Plex ERP a .
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills; ability to work across departments and facilities.
• High attention to detail with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory valuation, BOMs, and variance analysis.
• Strong communication skills and ability to partner with operations and plant personnel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment.