Cost Accounting Manager

About the role

The Costing Manager at Nordson plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate, timely, and complete financial records for all financial transactions within the company's manufacturing line of business. This position requires a deep understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, and Logistics organizations to ensure sound internal controls in these operations.
• Provide effective financial advice to Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, and Logistics organizations.
• Drive high-leverage financial opportunities such as increased capacity utilization, material cost savings, streamlined logistics, product/process cost optimization, working capital reduction, capital effectiveness, and restructuring/sourcing projects.
• Conduct financial analysis across various aspects of these organizations, including gross margin analysis, labor, and overhead cost analysis.
• Oversee the annual manufacturing budgets and forecasts for short- and long-range operating objectives, organizational structure, and staffing requirements for manufacturing teams.
• Review cost standards, maintain periodic cost rolls and annual updates, and ensure consistent methodology.
• Analyze actual manufacturing costs and prepare periodic reports comparing standard costs to actual production costs; review manufacturing variances (PPV, POV) and manufacturing absorption analysis reports.
• Prepare various journal entries, review month-end balance sheets, ensure monthly assessments and settlements are accurate and timely, review cut-off procedures, and run and reconcile OneStream reports.
• Model Capital investments used in manufacturing locations for costs and savings, track and report on results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance with 5 or more years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and solid knowledge of US GAAP.
• Experience with ERP systems, particularly SAP.
• Understanding of standard cost accounting, internal control concepts and practices.
• CPA and/or CMA certification is desired.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Strong planning and analysis skills, especially in product cost forecasting, budgeting, and planning.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Initiative, leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Financial analysis and communication skills.

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance and at least 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and a solid understanding of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are required. Experience with ERP systems, particularly SAP, is preferred. A strong understanding of standard cost accounting, internal control concepts, and practices is also necessary. While not mandatory, CPA and/or CMA certifications are highly desirable.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The office environment is the primary workplace. Essential functions include sitting, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, talking or hearing, standing, walking, and reaching with hands and arms. Close vision is required, and noise levels are usually moderate. Travel is estimated at 25% of the time, primarily to the Swainsboro facility.