Senior Cost Accountant

Job Summary

The Senior Cost Accountant plays a critical role in supporting inventory and cost accounting operations within a manufacturing environment. This position assists with monthly close activities, cost variance analysis, inventory reconciliations, and financial reporting to help ensure accurate product costing and financial statement integrity.

Responsibilities

• Aid with recurring inventory accounting procedures, including variance tracking, inventory valuation, and cost allocations.
• Support preparation of monthly close schedules comparing standard costs to actual production costs.
• Assist in analyzing manufacturing costs and identifying basic cost variances.
• Support period-end accounting close activities to ensure timely completion.
• Prepare journal entries under supervision and assist with monthly reports.
• Aid with balance sheet account reconciliations (e.g., inventory, accruals) using OneStream.
• Support planning and coordination of physical inventory counts with warehouse personnel and auditors.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather information for cost analysis and reporting.
• Aid in preparing audit support documentation for internal and external auditors.
• Help maintain documentation to support internal controls and compliance requirements.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives within the accounting team.
• Prepare data and other supporting information requests as needed for audits and reviews conducted by internal and external auditors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree & 3-5 years' directly related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting (or equivalent).
• 3-5 years' industry or audit experience in inventory operations and cost accounting.
• Knowledge in applying standard cost model, absorption accounting, variance analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Aptean Ross) and Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, basic formulas).
• Life sciences / Biotechnology and/or manufacturing industry experience.
• Sarbanes-Oxley 404 public accounting or industry experience.
• Proficient working knowledge in inventory cost accounting operations and processes.
• Positive, strong work ethic and a team player.
• Excellent organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
• Unquestionable integrity and personal ethics.
• Ability to adapt and prioritize competing projects.
• Ability to communicate with impact both verbally and in writing.
• Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to learn.
• Prioritize assignments, deal with interruptions, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and growth-oriented environment.

About the Role

This position requires a detail-oriented, collaborative, and eager-to-learn individual with a solid understanding of accounting principles and an interest in developing expertise in cost accounting and inventory operations. Reporting to: Associate Director, Inventory Accounting. Location: Johnson City, TN (5 days required onsite), or Nashville, TN (4-5 days required onsite).

Pay

Up to $110,000 depending on location, and sign-on bonus eligible.

Schedule

Full-time position with 5 days required onsite in Johnson City, TN, or 4-5 days required onsite in Nashville, TN.

Benefits

Competitive compensation including base salary and annual performance bonus. Flexible PTO, holidays, and parental leave. Generous healthcare benefits, HSA match, 401k match, employer-paid life and disability insurance, pet insurance, wellness discounts, and much more!