Cost Accountant

Ferrero•Franklin Park, IL

1d•$71,219 - $94,959•Onsite

About The Position

We have a current opening for a Cost Accountant and are actively reviewing applications. At Ferrero, The Cost Accountant, reporting to the Plant Controller, supports the financial performance and cost control of the plant by preparing and monitoring the budget, forecasts and actuals, ensuring accurate industrial cost accounting and variance analysis, and providing regular financial insights to support operational and strategic decision making. The role also supports investment and fixed asset control in line with Group policies and ensures full compliance with Finance guidelines and procedures, acting as a key financial business partner to the Plant Controller and Operations team. The Finance Industrial Controlling function ensures the accuracy, transparency, and strategic use of financial data related to manufacturing operations, enabling data-driven decisions across local and global teams. It supports the preparation of budgets, forecasts, variance analyses, and investment evaluations to strengthen production efficiency and financial compliance. The Cost Accountant role serves as a key Finance partner within the Franklin Park Plant, translating operational performance into actionable financial insights. Reporting to the Plant Controller, the Cost Accountant supports cost control, budgeting, capital project analysis, and monthly closings while embedding financial rigor into daily plant operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
3 years of experience in industrial controlling, cost accounting, budgeting, month end close and financial analysis in a manufacturing environment.
Strong knowledge of production processes, standard costing, and SAP, including fixed-asset management.
Ability to work cross-functionally with Operations and support finance leadership (Plant Controller).
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of improving cost transparency and process efficiency.
Strong knowledge of Excel and working with a large volume of data.

Responsibilities

Support the Plant Controller in the preparation of the annual budget and standard cost setting (bill of materials, labor, overhead).
Monitor and analyze industrial costs, standard costs, and production variances, providing regular performance reporting and insights.
Perform month end close activities including preparation of journal entries and required reports detailing results including analysis and explanations.
Support the monthly forecast and Group planning cycles including risks and opportunities.
Prepare financial analyses for capital projects, including business cases, ROI, and support to Group approval processes.
Support capital projects and fixed-asset management, including asset capitalizations and disposals along with the periodic fixed assets physical inventory.
Perform cost simulations and project economics to support new products or changes in production flows.