Cost Accountant

Virginia Tech’s Controller’s Office is seeking a Cost Accountant to provide financial and accounting support for the development and oversight of service center rates.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze service center financial data to support rate development and monitoring.
• Review interdepartmental service requests (ISRs) to ensure approved rates are applied accurately and supporting documentation is complete; resolve discrepancies in collaboration with service center personnel.
• Assist service center staff in gathering and preparing data required for rate development worksheets.
• Analyze service center costs and recommend rates, supported by well-documented workpapers, to the Cost Accounting Senior or Manager.
• Maintain organized electronic records and ensure proper documentation retention.
• Support special projects that advance the Controller’s Office mission to deliver high-quality, efficient, and effective financial management services to the university.

Requirements

• Relevant education and/or professional experience in accounting, auditing, or cost analysis, including preparation of cost studies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas) and Access (e.g., queries), to aggregate and analyze data.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to compile, investigate, reconcile, and evaluate financial data accurately.
• Ability to interpret and apply state, federal, and university policies, regulations, and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within established procedures while exercising sound judgment to resolve routine issues and make independent, well-reasoned decisions or recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to providing high-quality customer service and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
• Professional experience in accounting, cost control, or job costing, with a strong understanding of standard cost development principles.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and present financial reports for management and/or external stakeholders.
• Experience using data query and analysis tools (e.g., SQL, SAS, or Microsoft Access).
• Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial systems, such as Banner Finance.

Pay

Salary range of $60,000 - $65,000.

Schedule

• 40 hours per week.
• Overtime status: Exempt (not eligible for overtime).
• Appointment type: Regular.

About the Organization

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.