Cost Accountant

COST ACCOUNTANTPosition Type: Salaried, ExemptLocation: Santa Fe Springs, CaliforniaPOSITION SUMMARYThe Cost Accountant will play a vital role in the financial operations of a manufacturing company, ensuring accurate cost accounting and financial reporting. This position involves analyzing manufacturing costs, preparing detailed analytical reports, and ensuring the company adheres to financial regulations. This position requires strong background in accounting, deep understanding of manufacturing operations, cost accounting principles, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with various departments.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESCOST ANALYSIS AND REPORTINGDevelop, prepare and analyze periodic reports, including variance analysis for labor efficiency, materials usage/yields, purchase price variance, and overhead spending. Highlight key areas of concern and opportunities for improvement for department managers.Develop, prepare, and analyze product costs for materials, labor, and overhead.Develop standardized models to review profitability of products based on materials, labor, and overheads, in addition to incorporating sales and marketing allowances and all related costs.Develop and maintain pricing models to ensure competitive and profitable pricing strategies. Analyze market trends, cost structures, and competitor pricing to inform pricing decisions.Develop profitability reporting by Product Class, Customer, and Sales Channel.Identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend strategies to improve cost-efficiency. Maintain and track progress of opportunities against forecast throughout the year.Analyze purchased material, other supply costs, and perform cost-benefit analyses for vendor changes.Maintain cost system information for manufacturing and distribution operations, including bills of material, crewing, and other related items.Provide ad hoc analyses and projections as needed to support decision-making.MONTH END REPORTINGPerform account reconciliations and prepare journal entries for month end close.Analyze month end variances to Budget.Provide commentary for monthly distribution.Develop monthly follow up action plans based on commentary, margin aggravation drivers and opportunities to improve the bottom line.INVENTORY MANAGEMENTMonitor and reconcile inventory balances, ensuring accurate valuation of inventory.Analyze and reconcile inventory balances monthly, participate in cycle/physical counts if necessary. Work closely with production and supply chain teams to optimize inventory levels, reduce excess stock and improve storage costs.Participate in the monthly inventory counts and investigate discrepancies.Develop and report monthly inventory turns KPI.BUDGETING AND FORECASTINGAssist in the development of annual budgets and financial forecasts for manufacturing operations.Participate in the preparation of the annual plant operating budget, including standard product cost development, budgeted variances, cost center budgeting, headcount requirements, volume analysis, raw material pricing analysis and overhead costs and allocations.Develop models for monthly production and absorption.Work with Plant Managers to review expenses that are incorporated into the Budget.FIXED ASSETSAssist with developing and analyzing capital project ROIs.Develop / provide reporting for new capital projects including status and spending against budgets.Maintain Fixed Asset reconciliations and prepare journal entries for month end close.Prepare annual Property Tax Statements.REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in cost accounting, preferably in a food manufacturing environment.In-depth knowledge of cost accounting principles, GAAP, and inventory management.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel), accounting software and ERP systems.Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to work within a collaborative, fast-paced environment and re-prioritize tasks when project timelines shift.Demonstrated time-management and multi-tasking skills.Ability to work independently and as part of a team.PHYSICAL DEMANDSSitting, standing, walking up and down stairs.WORK ENVIRONMENTFast paced office, required to multitask, and manage time wisely.