Senior Project Accountant

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as comprehensive analytical and IND‑enabling services. With over 40 years of experience and a team of 2,000 experts serving clients in North America and Europe, Cambrex offers specialized drug‑substance technologies such as continuous flow, controlled substances, liquid‑phase peptide synthesis, solid‑state science, material characterization, and highly potent APIs. The company is committed to a culture where colleagues can engage in meaningful work, learn new skills, strengthen connections, and enjoy a safe environment, and it provides a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare, life insurance, retirement planning, and more.

Job Overview

Senior Project & Cost Accountant – Charles City, Iowa. This essential member of the Finance team maintains timely and accurate project accounting and cost accounting systems for the Charles City site, handling job costing for new custom projects and standard product costing for all commercial manufacturing products. Site Management, Cambrex Finance Leadership, and other stakeholders rely on this role for reliable financial information to drive business decisions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accounting systems for production costing and project job costing in accordance with GAAP and Cambrex policies.
• Properly record recognition of revenue and costs for custom projects under ASC 606 accounting guidance.
• Responsible for the month‑end close of Production & Project Systems modules, prepare journal entries for adjustments and accruals, prepare balance‑sheet account reconciliations, and analyze income‑statement results.
• Provide monthly updates to projected COGS and profitability for inclusion in the monthly financial forecast.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to develop cost & profit estimates for new projects and determine the financial impact of changes to existing products.
• Actively seek opportunities to increase profit margins and determine the financial impact of savings opportunities identified by others.
• Prepare and analyze routine and/or ad‑hoc reports for management, including variance analyses and projections of future performance.
• Assist with internal and external audits, tax reporting, and corporate requests as assigned.
• Develop activity rates and standard product costs for the annual budget process.
• Collaborate with departments to develop cost‑center expense annual budgets, review/monitor spending, and provide updated expectations with monthly financial forecasts.
• Maintain compliance with relevant site and corporate policies and procedures.
• Support management in identifying Operational Excellence opportunities to continuously improve accounting processes and procedures.

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of GAAP accounting and internal controls requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver quality work under prescribed deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to perform detailed and complex numerical computations.
• Substantial experience with an enterprise software system such as SAP.
• Strong computer skills on a Microsoft platform and Office suite, including advanced Excel skills.

Education, Experience & Licensing

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
• Master’s degree, CPA and/or CMA designation preferred.
• 5+ years of accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment or cost accounting role.

Additional Information

Cambrex is committed to providing a safe and productive work environment. All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a comprehensive pre‑employment screen, which may include a drug test, criminal record check, identity verification, reference checks, and education and employment verification. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification. Cambrex is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics.