Cost Accountant

Central Power Systems & Services•Tracy, MO

7d•$65,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

Central Power Systems & Services is seeking a Cost Accountant to support its Generator Manufacturing Division. This role is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of manufacturing costs, inventory, and financial reporting. The Cost Accountant will analyze material and product costs, investigate cost variances, review manufacturing data, and identify the drivers behind cost changes. The company values teachable, analytical, detail-oriented individuals who are eager to learn and grow. They are looking for passionate, down-to-earth people who are driven, creative, and collaborative.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred.
Two (2) or more years of accounting, cost accounting, manufacturing accounting, or related experience preferred.
Manufacturing or inventory accounting experience strongly preferred.
Experience working with an ERP/MRP system preferred.
Strong understanding of inventory valuation, manufacturing costs, and cost accounting principles.
Experience analyzing cost variances and investigating underlying causes preferred.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to work with large amounts of data and perform detailed analysis.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to identify trends, inconsistencies, and potential errors in financial and operational data.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to explain financial information and cost variances to non-financial team members.
Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively across departments.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Strong computer and systems knowledge.
High level of integrity and confidentiality.
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Understanding of inventory accounting and valuation.
Understanding of manufacturing cost structures and cost drivers.
Ability to analyze material, labor, overhead, and product costs.
Ability to understand and interpret Bills of Material (BOMs), manufacturing routings, labor rates, and other manufacturing data.
Ability to research and reconcile discrepancies between operational transactions and financial records.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Employment eligibility will be verified at the time of hire.
You must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. to be considered for this role.

Nice To Haves

Epicor ERP experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Monitor and analyze manufacturing costs and inventory activity to ensure costs are accurately reflected in the company's financial systems.
Review weighted-average costs for raw materials, purchased components, work-in-process (WIP), and finished products.
Investigate variances and identify the underlying operational, purchasing, or transactional drivers.
Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, Operations, and Finance to identify and resolve issues impacting inventory valuation, product costs, and financial reporting.
Review Bills of Material (BOMs), manufacturing routings, labor rates, and manufacturing master data for financial reasonableness.
Monitor inventory transactions that may distort weighted-average costs, including negative inventory balances, backdated transactions, incorrect units of measure, erroneous inventory receipts, and inventory adjustments.
Review inventory transfers between plants, warehouses, and other company locations.
Assist with tracking and analyzing scrap, rework, inventory write-offs, and other manufacturing losses.
Identify trends, discrepancies, and unusual activity impacting inventory valuation or manufacturing costs.
Partner with Manufacturing and Operations to understand operational causes behind cost fluctuations and variances.
Work with Purchasing to understand changes in material pricing, supplier costs, and purchasing activity.
Collaborate with Engineering to review BOMs, routings, labor rates, and other product-related master data.
Assist in identifying and correcting data or transaction issues impacting inventory valuation and financial reporting.
Maintain accurate documentation and supporting information for cost analysis and variance investigations.
Assist with month-end close activities related to inventory, manufacturing costs, and cost accounting.
Prepare and maintain reports related to inventory valuation, material costs, product costs, and manufacturing variances.
Support internal and external audit requests related to inventory and cost accounting.
Identify opportunities to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of cost accounting processes.
Assist other Finance and Accounting team members as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.