Cost Accountant

Position Summary

Kruger Products is seeking a detail-oriented, analytical, and results-driven Cost Accountant to join our Finance team. This role is ideal for an experienced accounting professional with a strong background in manufacturing cost accounting who thrives on transforming financial data into actionable business insights.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Maintain accurate and timely cost information for all manufacturing and operational departments.
• Analyze, monitor, and report on production costs, material usage, labor costs, and manufacturing variances.
• Investigate cost fluctuations and provide recommendations to improve operational efficiency and cost performance.
• Partner with operations teams to understand cost drivers and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain standard costing methodologies and ensure data integrity within financial systems.
• Reconcile and control mill inventory accounts and interdepartmental transfers.
• Coordinate monthly costing runs and perform detailed reviews and reconciliations of production costs.
• Avoidance of errors in production volumes and actual manufacturing costs.
• Ensure production volumes and actual manufacturing costs are accurately recorded and reconciled against established standards.
• Conduct monthly costing runs and perform detailed reviews and reconciliations of production costs.
• Oversee inventory accounting processes including cycle counts, physical inventories, and inventory valuation.
• Ensure all inventory-related transactions are properly recorded and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Execute month-end closing activities accurately and within established deadlines.
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Reconcile and maintain assigned general ledger accounts.
• Prepare monthly manufacturing cost reports, inventory valuation reports, and variance analyses.
• Provide meaningful financial insights and recommendations to management based on monthly results.
• Support financial audits by preparing schedules, reports, and supporting documentation as required.
• Aid department leaders in the preparation of annual operating budgets and forecasts.
• Compile, analyze, and present budget information for manufacturing and operational departments.
• Develop product cost estimates, production cost projections, and financial models to support business planning.
• Monitor budget performance and provide variance explanations and recommendations.
• Support capital projects, cost-saving initiatives, and strategic operational improvements through financial analysis.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Build strong relationships with manufacturing, operations, engineering, maintenance, and leadership teams.
• Provide guidance and support to members of the Finance department as needed.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen internal controls, and improve financial reporting accuracy.
• Participate in special projects and continuous improvement initiatives assigned by the Cost Accounting Supervisor.
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and process optimization.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Commerce, or a related discipline required.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and financial modeling. Experience working with ERP systems and large-scale financial applications required. SAP experience strongly preferred. Strong understanding of general ledger accounting, cost accounting principles, and financial reporting processes.
• Professional Competencies: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines. Excellent organizational and time-management skills. Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Ability to collaborate across multiple departments and levels of the organization. Demonstrated accountability, professionalism, and business acumen.