Sr. Cost Accountant

Senior Cost Accountant
Location: Staunton, VA or Richmond, VASalary: $100,000 - $150,000 (negotiable depending on experience)
Position OverviewOur client is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to support accounting operations within a manufacturing environment. This role will oversee cost accounting, financial reporting, inventory control, budgeting, forecasting, and process improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with company policies and US GAAP standards.
The Senior Cost Accountant will partner closely with company leadership to analyze manufacturing costs, improve financial processes, maintain accurate reporting, and provide insights that support strategic business decisions.
Key Responsibilities Manage standard costing processes, including cost rolls, overhead calculations, cost variance reporting, and manufacturing cost analysis. Analyze production costs, identify cost drivers, and provide recommendations for operational improvements. Lead monthly financial close activities and prepare financial reports for leadership review. Maintain accurate inventory records and inventory valuations within the ERP system. Support physical inventory counts and investigate inventory discrepancies. Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes and analyze performance against financial goals. Ensure financial reporting accuracy and compliance with US GAAP, internal controls, and company policies. Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes, ERP systems, and reporting efficiencies. Support payroll, accounts payable/receivable, audit activities, and regulatory compliance efforts. Develop and report company KPIs while providing financial analysis to leadership. Review customer financial information and provide credit recommendations to minimize risk.
Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. 5+ years of accounting experience in a manufacturing environment. Strong experience with standard costing, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and variance analysis. Experience with month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. Knowledge of US GAAP, internal controls, and ERP systems. Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.
Ideal Candidate BackgroundCandidates with experience as a Senior Cost Accountant, Manufacturing Accountant, Plant Accountant, Accounting Manager, or Assistant Controller in a manufacturing organization will be highly considered. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of manufacturing operations and the ability to serve as a financial partner to leadership.