Cost Accountant

We are looking for a Cost Accountant to join a manufacturing-focused finance team in Temple, Texas. This role is responsible for delivering accurate product and inventory cost information, supporting month-end close activities, and providing analysis that helps improve operational and financial performance. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in standard costing, inventory accounting, and cross-functional collaboration with production and purchasing teams.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee standard cost data by updating product structures, labor assumptions, and overhead allocations to keep costing records accurate and current.
• Evaluate actual manufacturing results against expected costs and provide clear explanations for differences in materials, labor, and factory overhead.
• Monitor margins and cost performance across jobs, product lines, and customer accounts to identify trends that affect profitability.
• Assist with inventory accounting activities, including cycle count support, physical inventory reviews, and reconciliation of stock records to the general ledger.
• Assess production-related costs such as scrap, rework, and yield loss, and recommend ways to strengthen controls and improve cost reliability.
• Prepare cost-related journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and recurring reports that support the monthly financial close process.
• Work closely with operations and purchasing teams to review usage patterns, efficiency metrics, and changes in material pricing.
• Contribute financial insight for pricing decisions, customer quotations, budgets, forecasts, and capital spending evaluations.
• Maintain cost accounting information within the company’s ERP environment, including Acumatica when applicable, and provide documentation for audits and special finance initiatives.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related discipline.
• At least five years of accounting experience, with preference for work performed in a manufacturing setting.
• Solid understanding of inventory accounting, standard costing methods, and variance analysis within production environments.
• Advanced Excel capabilities and practical experience using an ERP system.
• Ability to communicate financial findings clearly to partners outside the accounting function.
• High level of accuracy, strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage recurring deadlines effectively.
• Experience with job costing or custom manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Familiarity with Acumatica is preferred.