Senior Cost Accountant

Placon Corporation • Madison, WI

6d

About The Position

As a Senior Cost Accountant , you will play a critical role in supporting accurate cost reporting and financial analysis that impacts key business decisions. This position offers broad exposure to Finance and Operations leadership, the opportunity to develop deep expertise in cost accounting, and a clear pathway for career growth within a dynamic and sustainability-focused manufacturing organization. About the Role We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Senior Cost Accountant to support the cost accounting function. This role will be responsible for standard cost maintenance, inventory valuation, variance analysis, and supporting financial reporting processes for our manufacturing operations. The Senior Cost Accountant will work closely with Finance and Operations to provide accurate, timely, and actionable cost insights, ensuring alignment with GAAP, internal controls, and business objectives. Industry: Thermoforming / Packaging / Manufacturing

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive cost accounting or manufacturing finance experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, standard costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing operations.
• Proficiency in Excel and experience with ERP systems (Oracle preferred).
• Ability to clearly communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• CPA or CMA certification or progress toward certification.
• Experience in plastics, thermoforming, or medical/food-grade manufacturing.
• Public accounting experience (e.g., audit or assurance) is preferred and valued for the strong technical foundation and analytical skills it provides.
• Experience with Power BI and Oracle PBCS.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, process improvement, or Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update standard costs, BOM accuracy, and labor/overhead rates in ERP (Oracle).
• Develop and maintain Oracle material and resource rates to support pricing and GAAP inventory costing compliance.
• Prepare and analyze manufacturing variances (material, labor, overhead) and provide clear explanations to Finance and Operations leadership.
• Perform cost modeling and margin analysis to support new product developments, pricing decisions, and special projects.
• Assist with financial analysis for product lines, customers, and operating platforms to support decision-making.
• Reconcile inventory across facilities to ensure accuracy and proper valuation.
• Support physical inventory counts, cycle counts, and year-end inventory observations.
• Review Oracle EAM internal labor and material costs for appropriateness and fiscal control.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and support internal and external audits (bank, tax, insurance, customer).
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and cost allocations during monthly close.
• Assist with publishing and reviewing monthly financial packages, including cost and spending analysis.
• Support the preparation and development of the annual financial plan and forecasts.
• Partner with Operations and Finance teams to provide cost insights that drive operational improvements.
• Champion effective use of Oracle PBCS and Power BI for reporting and analysis.
• Identify and implement process improvements within cost accounting and reporting workflows.

What This Job Offers

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