Cost Accountant - Manufacturing

This job was posted by https://joblink.maine.gov : For more information, please see: https://joblink.maine.gov/jobs/1373870 Job Title: Cost Accountant Department: Accounting and Finance Reports to: Controller FLSA Status: Exempt Job Summary The Cost Accountant is responsible for supporting the integrity and accuracy of the companys cost accounting processes in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role focuses on maintaining standard costs, analyzing production and purchasing variances, supporting inventory accuracy, and contributing to financial reporting and operational decision-making. The Cost Accountant works cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure accurate product costing, identify opportunities for cost improvement, and support efficient manufacturing processes. This position plays a key role in monthly close activities, inventory management, and continuous improvement initiatives to support overall profitability and operational performance. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Cost Accounting & Analysis Maintain and review standard costs within the Oracle ERP system, ensuring accuracy and alignment with current production processes Analyze production, labor, and purchase price variances; identify trends and provide actionable insights Assist in preparing and analyzing monthly Gross Margin reports Support cost analysis for new products, process changes, and manufacturing improvements Partner with Engineering and Operations to understand cost drivers and improve cost accuracy Inventory & Manufacturing Support Assist with planning and execution of annual physical inventory and ongoing cycle counts Analyze inventory variances and research root causes Support accurate inventory valuation and cost roll-ups Work with Supply Chain and Production teams to ensure alignment between inventory, costing, and production data Financial Reporting & Close Process Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities Support journal entries and assist with account reconciliations for assigned balance sheet accounts Provide analysis and explanations of cost-related variances for financial reporting Assist in maintaining accurate and timely financial data for management reporting Budgeting & Forecasting Support Assist in the preparation of the annual budget, including cost modeling and historical analysis Analyze cost trends and provide insights to support forecasting and planning Support ongoing financial analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities Systems, Documentation & Continuous Improvement Utilize Oracle ERP and Microsoft Excel to manage cost data and reporting Maintain organized and accurate cost accounting documentation Ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal controls, and company policies. Identify opportunities for process improvements in costing, reporting, and inventory management Support ad hoc financial analysis and reporting requests from management Desired Qualifications Bachelors or Associates degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; or equivalent experience 35 years of experience in cost accounting or general accounting, preferably in a manufacturing environment Experience with ERP systems required; Oracle experience preferred Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office Suite Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills Ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment Strong attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and data integrity Effective written and verbal communication skills Proven ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization, from plant floor to exe cutive leadership