Cost Analyst

Education, Training, and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of professional accounting experience, preferably with exposure to cost accounting in a manufacturing or multisite environment.
• Experience with accounting software, ERP systems, and data management tools.

Position Objective:

The Financial/Cost Analyst is key in multisite financial operations, assisting with cost accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting. This position ensures accuracy in standard costing, supports month-end closing processes, prepares key financial analyses, and provides data-driven insights to optimize financial and operational efficiencies across plants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Standard Costing: Calculate and validate standard costs for products and services across multiple sites, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Financial Forecasting and Budgeting: Assist in preparing monthly forecasts and annual budget planning, providing crucial support to the Plant Controller in aligning financial goals with operational performance.
• Invoicing and Reconciliation: Prepare monthly customer invoices, conduct thorough invoice reconciliations to resolve discrepancies, and ensure accurate billing and customer satisfaction.
• Month-End Closing Support: Actively participate in the month-end close process, ensuring all accounting entries and reconciliations are completed to meet reporting deadlines.
• Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Reporting: Develop and maintain KPI reports that provide insights into cost drivers, production efficiency, and financial health. Analyze KPI trends and identify areas for improvement.
• Cost Analysis Projects: Conduct in-depth cost analysis projects to identify opportunities for cost savings, streamline processes, and improve financial controls.
• Labor and Expense Reviews: Regularly review labor costs, including engagement with temporary staffing agencies, to ensure adherence to budgeted labor expenses. Conduct department-level expense reviews, identifying opportunities for cost efficiency.
• Process Improvement: Actively contribute to the enhancement of financial controls, accounting processes, and business operations. Support initiatives to automate reporting and streamline cost accounting practices.
• Multisite Support and Collaboration: Provide cross-functional support to cost accounting teams at other locations, ensuring consistency in financial practices, especially in QAD reporting and compliance.
• Journal Entry Preparation: Prepare and enter journal entries as needed for financial adjustments, corrections, and reconciliations.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to financial policies, regulations, and company standards, maintaining integrity and accuracy in all financial reporting.
• Technical Expertise: Proficiency in cost accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting, with an understanding of ERP systems and accounting software.