Sr. Cost Accountant

Description We are looking for a Contract Sr. Cost Accountant to support manufacturing finance activities in Geneva, Illinois. This role will focus on strengthening cost accuracy, inventory valuation, and financial insight across production operations while partnering closely with operations and warehouse teams. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in standard costing, variance review, and month-end accounting within a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate product and manufacturing costs by reviewing material, labor, overhead, and other production-related expenses to support accurate financial analysis.

• Investigate cost variances across production, materials, labor, scrap, and absorption, and present practical recommendations to improve performance.

• Maintain and update standard costs for finished goods and components, including support for the annual cost roll process and related routing reviews.

• Prepare recurring financial reports that summarize cost trends, budget performance, and key metrics for leadership and business stakeholders.

• Oversee inventory accounting activities to help ensure accurate valuation, reserve calculations, and alignment with cost of goods sold.

• Manage inventory reserve analysis for excess, obsolete, and shrink exposure, and provide clear documentation for accounting records.

• Coordinate the cycle count program, monitor related performance indicators, and work with operational teams to address discrepancies.

• Lead budgeting and forecasting for manufacturing costs across domestic entities while providing financial oversight support for international operations.

• Complete balance sheet reconciliations for inventory and other cost-related accounts and contribute to an accurate and timely month-end close.

• Track capital spending against approved budgets and report variances and trends to finance leadership. Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• At least 7 years of relevant experience, including 5 or more years in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment.

• Strong knowledge of cost accounting principles, including standard costing, inventory accounting, and cost of goods sold analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze purchase price variance and other manufacturing cost variances with a high level of accuracy.

• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and general ledger reconciliation processes.

• Proficiency working with ERP systems and financial data tools used in manufacturing organizations.

• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate across finance, operations, and warehouse teams.

The salary range for this position is $50/hour to $55/hour. Benefits available to contract/temporary professionals, include medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit reboerthalf.gobenefits.net for more information. Our specialized recruiting professionals apply their expertise and utilize our proprietary AI to find you great job matches faster.

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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Our specialized recruiting professionals apply their expertise and utilize our proprietary AI to find you great job matches faster.

All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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