Cost & Inventory Accountant – Entry Level

Description

Job Description: Cost & Inventory Accountant – Entry Level

Department: Finance & Accounting

Reports To: Plant Controller

Location: Jesup, Georgia

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Cost & Inventory Accountant supports the Finance and Accounting team by maintaining accurate inventory records, assisting with manufacturing cost analysis, reconciling inventory transactions, and preparing financial and operational reports. This position works closely with Production, Warehouse, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure inventory movements, material usage, production costs, and finished goods are accurately recorded.

This is an excellent opportunity for an entry-level accounting professional to develop expertise in manufacturing cost accounting, inventory management, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Cost Accounting

Cost Accountants perform a range of tasks to ensure accurate cost analysis and financial oversight, which include:

• Cost Data Collection and Analysis: Gather and analyze expenses for raw materials, labor, shipping, and overhead. Develop and maintain cost accounting systems to track these expenses
• Standard Cost Management: Set, review, and update standard costs of products or services, and
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Assist management with budgeting, forecasting, and cost-related decision-making; prepare expense reports and financial projections
• Reporting and Auditing: Prepare detailed reports on cost, profitability, and margins; participate in internal and external audits and maintain compliance with GAAP or other relevant standards
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and optimize business operations; collaborate with non-financial departments for operational insights
• Support for Management Decisions: Provide actionable insights on product pricing, cost reductions, and financial strategies; assist in evaluating new products, capital projects, and operational improvements
• Monitor Cost control measures to ensure that the organization operates efficiently and within budget constraints

Inventory Accounting & Reconciliation

• Maintain accurate inventory records for raw materials, work-in-process, packaging materials, and finished goods.
• Reconcile inventory subledger balances to the general ledger and investigate discrepancies.
• Assist with cycle counts, physical inventory counts, and inventory adjustments.
• Review inventory transactions, including receipts, transfers, production consumption, finished goods, and shipments.
• Research inventory variances and coordinate with Warehouse and Production teams to identify root causes.
• Monitor inventory adjustments, obsolete materials, damaged goods, and excess inventory.
• Help ensure inventory transactions are recorded accurately and in a timely manner.

Reporting & Financial Analysis

• Prepare recurring inventory, production cost, and variance reports.
• Maintain spreadsheets and supporting schedules used for financial analysis.
• Assist with gathering data for monthly financial statements, audits, and management reports.
• Track key performance indicators, including inventory accuracy, scrap rates, material usage, and production costs.
• Identify unusual trends or inconsistencies and communicate findings to the Accounting Manager.
• Maintain organized documentation to support accounting entries, reconciliations, and audit requests.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Internal Controls

• Partner with Production, Warehouse, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams to validate inventory and production data.
• Help improve inventory tracking, transaction accuracy, and cost-reporting processes.
• Follow established accounting procedures, company policies, and internal controls.
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of financial and operational information.
• Perform other accounting and analytical duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; a bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Foundational understanding of accounting principles, including debits and credits, reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and basic data analysis.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies, analyze data, and solve problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet reporting deadlines.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.
• Internship, coursework, or up to two years of experience in accounting, inventory control, manufacturing, or finance.
• Exposure to an ERP, inventory management, or accounting system.
• Familiarity with inventory valuation, standard costing, or manufacturing operations.
• Experience with pivot tables, lookup formulas, and spreadsheet-based reporting.

Core Competencies

• Analytical Thinking: Identifies trends, investigates variances, and uses data to support decisions.
• Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Maintains reliable financial records and inventory data.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned reconciliations, reporting deadlines, and follow-up activities.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with Finance, Production, Warehouse, and Supply Chain.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve reporting, controls, and transaction accuracy.
• Integrity: Handles financial information responsibly and follows established procedures.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be evaluated based on:

• Timely and accurate completion of assigned reconciliations and reports.
• Inventory record accuracy and resolution of discrepancies.
• Quality and reliability of manufacturing cost and variance reporting.
• Adherence to month-end close schedules and accounting procedures.
• Effective communication with cross-functional partners.
• Consistent compliance with internal controls and documentation requirements.

Work Environment

This position is primarily office-based within a manufacturing environment. Periodic visits to production and warehouse areas may be required to validate inventory activity, observe operational processes, or participate in physical inventory counts. Appropriate personal protective equipment and site safety procedures must be followed.

Career Development

This position offers an opportunity to build foundational expertise in manufacturing accounting, inventory valuation, cost analysis, and financial reporting, with potential for future growth into Cost Accountant, Senior Cost Accountant, or broader financial analysis roles as experience and business needs allow.