Senior Cost Accountant

About the role

The Senior Cost Accountant serves as a core financial partner, establishing and refining the cost accounting architecture that drives strategic decision-making. Designed for an analytical, detail-driven professional, this role brings financial transparency to manufacturing, supply chain, and operational workflows within a fast-paced CPG environment.

Cost Accounting & Inventory Operations

• Standard Costing: Direct standard cost architecture across all SKUs—including raw materials, packaging, co-manufacturing, and overhead—updating standards regularly and evaluating variances.
• Inventory Control: Direct inventory accounting practices, oversee cycle counts and physical inventories, and reconcile ERP data with warehouse management systems.
• COGS Analysis: Perform monthly COGS reviews, generating detailed variance reporting against standard benchmarks and historical performance.
• Data Integrity: Collaborate with Operations and Supply Chain to maintain precise bill of materials (BOMs) and routing structures within the ERP.
• Month-End Close: Lead month-end close procedures for cost accounting, including inventory roll-forwards, journal entries, and COGS schedules.

Operational FP&A & Strategic Analytics

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and Procurement to shape annual cost budgets and quarterly re-forecasts.
• Operational Insights: Deliver actionable analysis on freight, yield, waste, and manufacturing trends to drive efficiency across the supply chain.
• Financial Modeling: Evaluate the financial impact of line extensions, new product launches, packaging updates, and co-manufacturing agreements.
• Annual Operating Plan (AOP): Build granular product- and channel-level cost models to support the AOP framework.

Controls, Compliance & Process Enhancement

• Audit & GAAP Compliance: Maintain full GAAP compliance and internal control rigor across inventory and COGS, serving as the main point of contact for external audits.
• Cross-Functional Governance: Work alongside accounting leadership to enforce consistent financial reporting and accounting policies.
• System Optimization: Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance data accuracy, reporting automation, and system workflows.
• Documentation: Standardize and document cost accounting workflows to ensure scalability and internal alignment.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Experience: 3+ years in accounting, with 2+ years dedicated to cost accounting or manufacturing finance (CPG or Food & Beverage experience strongly preferred).
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of GAAP cost accounting, inventory valuation models (FIFO/Weighted Average), standard and average costing, and variance analysis.
• Closing Capability: Proven track record running month-end close procedures and generating inventory/COGS reporting.
• Systems & Excel: Advanced Excel proficiency (financial modeling, advanced formulas, complex data manipulation); experience building ERP reports.
• Communication: Exceptional analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex cost data for non-finance partners.
• Certifications: CPA or CMA credentials preferred.

Preferred Technical Experience

• Hands-on experience with NetSuite or similar enterprise ERPs (NetSuite highly preferred).
• Working knowledge of contract manufacturing (co-man) operational structures.
• Exposure to CPG trade promotion accounting and deduction management protocols.