Manufacturing Cost Accountant / Analyst

The Forum Group PNW • Albany, OR

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Cost Accountant / Analyst will primarily perform business and data analysis, with approximately 80 to 90% of the role focused on analysis. The position supports a publicly traded manufacturer in Albany and works with manufacturing, sales, and finance teams to analyze production costs, inventory activity, and operational performance. It is suitable for a recent graduate or early-career analyst seeking to grow into a broader career.

The role includes cost and profitability analysis, monthly reporting, production variance analysis, capital project ROI analysis, inventory reporting, month-end close support, annual physical inventory leadership, and assistance with audits and special projects. The successful candidate will work across the wider business, including procurement, sales, commercial, and planning, and will learn complex manufacturing processes.

This is a 100% onsite position in Albany, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The schedule is typically 40 to 45 hours per week, with longer hours during close week and while getting up to speed. There is some flexibility to work from home for appointments or personal needs. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in accounting, finance, manufacturing, or business analysis; recent graduates are welcome.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Strong attention to detail and an analytical, data-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Understanding of GAAP and cost accounting concepts.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present financial information at all levels of the organization.
• Self-starter who takes ownership, works well independently, and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.
• Authorization to work in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Power BI experience.
• SQL experience.
• Internship, co-op, or professional experience in cost accounting, financial analysis, or decision support.
• Oracle experience.

Responsibilities

• Analyze production costs, inventory activity, and operational performance in collaboration with manufacturing, sales, and finance teams.
• Review and prepare cost workups for sales order quotes and analyze costs for major sales projects.
• Prepare profitability analyses and management reporting.
• Work with production teams to analyze monthly production variances and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Prepare return-on-investment analyses for capital projects and report on project progress.
• Prepare monthly inventory reporting, including raw materials, inventory turns, cycle times, and product line totals.
• Support month-end close, including inventory and work-in-process journal entries and reconciling inventory to the general ledger.
• Lead the annual physical inventory count and related reconciliations.
• Support internal and external audits, the annual government re-costing process, and special projects.

Benefits

• Three weeks of vacation to start.
• 10 paid holidays.
• Full, competitive benefits package.
• Bonus paid twice a year.
• Annual year-end review with a cost-of-living adjustment.
• Flexibility to work from home for appointments or personal needs.
• Team lunches and quarterly happy hours.
• Opportunity for career growth and exposure to procurement, sales, commercial, and planning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level