Sr. Cost Accountant (Hybrid)

Ardent Mills•Denver, CO

5d•$107,700 - $129,400•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Cost Accountant serves as a technical subject matter expert for inventory accounting, valuation, commodity accounting, manufacturing controls, and related financial processes across assigned facilities. The role leads investigations and resolution of complex inventory, operational, and accounting issues, and provides guidance, training, and support to Cost Accountants. In partnership with Operations and Finance, the Sr. Cost Accountant evaluates risks, implements process improvements, and helps ensure accurate financial reporting, control execution, and inventory valuation. The role develops forward-looking analyses, identifies emerging risks and opportunities, and turns findings into recommendations and action plans. Through expertise in manufacturing, commodity, supply chain, and accounting processes, the Sr. Cost Accountant helps drive consistency, scalability, and continuous improvement within the Cost Accounting function. This is a full-time hybrid role based in Denver, Colorado. The successful candidate is expected to work in person at the assigned office two days per week, Tuesday and Wednesday, except when traveling for business. Travel of up to 5% is required. The starting salary range is $107,700 to $129,400, with additional earning potential based on experience and a targeted annual MIP bonus of 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
At least 6 years of relevant experience.
Experience supporting inventory accounting, manufacturing accounting, commodity accounting, or related financial processes in a manufacturing environment.
Experience leading complex investigations, reconciliations, or process improvement initiatives.
Advanced knowledge of inventory valuation, manufacturing accounting, commodity accounting, and financial controls.
Ability to interpret and evaluate transaction flows across ERP, manufacturing execution, and financial systems.
Ability to conduct root cause analysis and identify operational, accounting, and control implications.
Ability to evaluate manufacturing performance, yield, blending, and inventory-related variances and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
Ability to influence business decisions and coordinate corrective actions across functions.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to mentor, train, and develop less experienced accounting professionals.
Ability to communicate concise financial narratives, constructively challenge assumptions, and influence Operations and Finance partners without formal authority.
Advanced proficiency in ERP systems, reporting tools, data analysis, and Microsoft Excel.
Ability to travel up to 5%.

Nice To Haves

CPA or CMA certification is strongly preferred.
Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations is preferred.

Responsibilities

Independently investigate complex inventory, valuation, accounting, and control issues; recommend and coordinate corrective actions.
Serve as the first escalation point for Cost Accountants on accounting treatment, inventory controls, ERP and MES transaction impacts, and financial risk considerations.
Execute month-end and year-end close activities for assigned facilities and areas of responsibility.
Lead analysis of manufacturing variances and operational performance metrics, distinguish operational performance impacts from commodity market impacts, and recommend actions to improve business performance.
Own activities related to valuation of commodity inventories and related liabilities, partnering with commodity settlement and operational teams to resolve issues and improve accuracy.
Monitor inventory accuracy, count adjustments, reconciliation differences, and associated financial impacts across assigned facilities.
Provide technical guidance, training, mentorship, and knowledge transfer to Cost Accountants.
Take active responsibility for implementing process improvements, reporting enhancements, and control standardization initiatives.
Partner with Operations, FP&A, and other stakeholders to improve understanding of manufacturing performance, inventory trends, and financial outcomes.
Support oversight of inventory audits, weigh-up programs, cycle count programs, and regulatory reviews.
Serve as a subject matter expert in inventory valuation, commodity accounting, manufacturing controls, and ERP/MES transaction flows.
Escalate issues promptly and provide solution options.
Own data integrity, reporting standardization, dashboard requirements, and identification of automation or AI opportunities within assigned processes.
Support stakeholder readiness, training, adoption, and sustainability for new processes, systems, controls, and ways of working.
Own playbooks and documentation quality, support cross-training, and build backup capability across facilities and processes.