Cost Accountant

Description We are looking for an experienced Cost Accountant to join a manufacturing team in Baxter Spring, Kansas on a Contract basis. This position will focus on cost analysis, margin reporting, inventory accounting, and operational financial support to help improve manufacturing performance and pricing accuracy. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical skills, a solid background in standard cost accounting, and the ability to translate production data into meaningful business insights.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with manufacturing personnel to gather operational and financial data, evaluate cost drivers, and recommend opportunities to improve efficiency and cost performance.

• Assess the financial impact of updates to product specifications, materials, production techniques, and service components to support accurate quoting and decision-making.

• Produce and review recurring gross margin reporting by customer, part, and job to highlight trends and support leadership analysis.

• Compare standard production costs against actual results, investigate variances, and prepare reporting that explains key differences.

• Maintain the cost accounting structure and related records to ensure product costing remains accurate and aligned with operational activity.

• Investigate work order discrepancies and labor reporting issues, then coordinate with supervisors on corrective actions to improve reporting accuracy.

• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly manufacturing reports, including variance reviews, cost updates for new items or engineering changes, and supporting analysis.

• Complete month-end cost accounting activities such as journal entries, inventory reconciliations, general ledger balancing, management reporting, and audit support.

• Manage obsolete inventory analysis, support disposal planning, and update labor, overhead, and burden rates including annual cost roll processes.

• Provide broader accounting assistance as needed to support plant and finance operations. Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or comparable hands-on experience in a related field.

• Demonstrated experience in cost accounting within an equipment or manufacturing environment.

• Strong knowledge of standard cost accounting principles, including materials, labor, overhead, and outside processing costs.

• Working understanding of GAAP and cost accounting standards relevant to manufacturing operations.

• Proficiency in Excel with the ability to analyze detailed financial and operational data.

• Experience using integrated business systems in a standard cost environment.

• Proven ability to investigate cost variances, reconcile inventory activity, and support month-end close processes.

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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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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