What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cost Accountant position at Vaco by Highspring?
Position Overview:
The Cost Accountant will be responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on manufacturing costs. This role involves cost tracking, inventory valuation, cost variance analysis, and supporting budgeting and financial reporting processes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment and possess the ability to provide actionable insights to enhance cost management and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities:
- Cost Tracking and Analysis:
- Monitor and analyze manufacturing costs, including direct materials, labor, and overhead.
- Develop and maintain cost accounting systems to accurately capture and allocate manufacturing costs.
- Perform cost variance analysis to identify discrepancies between standard costs and actual costs, and investigate the causes.
- Inventory Management:
- Oversee the accounting and valuation of inventory, including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.
- Conduct regular inventory counts and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
- Analyze inventory turnover and work with production teams to optimize inventory levels and reduce carrying costs.
- Cost Reporting:
- Prepare detailed cost reports and financial analyses for manufacturing operations, including cost of goods sold, gross margins, and profitability.
- Support the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports related to manufacturing costs.
- Budgeting and Forecasting:
- Assist in the development of annual budgets and financial forecasts related to manufacturing costs.
- Monitor budget performance and provide insights into cost management and operational efficiency.
- Process Improvement:
- Identify and recommend improvements to cost accounting processes and procedures to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
- Implement best practices in cost accounting and stay updated on industry trends and changes in accounting regulations.
- Internal Controls and Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Assist with internal and external audits by providing necessary documentation and explanations.
- Collaboration:
- Work closely with production, procurement, and operations teams to understand cost drivers and financial impacts.
- Provide financial insights and support to help teams make informed decisions and improve cost control.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of cost accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of cost accounting principles, manufacturing processes, and inventory management.
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Dynamics SL, Crystal Reporting, Workfront or similar) and MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with various departments.
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.
