Cost Accountant I

Job Summary

The Cost Accountant I supports manufacturing cost accounting, inventory accounting, financial analysis, and month-end close activities. This role works closely with Production and partners with Finance and Purchasing to maintain accurate product and inventory costs, analyze variances, reconcile financial information, and support management reporting. It is an entry-level professional accounting opportunity for someone interested in developing a career in manufacturing cost accounting.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze material, labor, overhead, and production cost information.
• Prepare and maintain product cost calculations, cost reports, and related schedules.
• Analyze actual versus expected costs and investigate significant variances or discrepancies.
• Support standard cost updates, inventory valuation, and cost-of-goods-sold analysis.
• Perform inventory and account reconciliations and assist with physical inventory counts and audits.
• Prepare journal entries and supporting documentation related to inventory and manufacturing costs.
• Support month-end closing, financial reporting, and management reporting activities.
• Work closely with Production to collect and verify production data, including output, material usage, scrap, and labor hours.
• Work with Production and Purchasing to resolve costing, inventory, and reporting issues.
• Assist with selected AP, vendor, and other financial reconciliations as needed.
• Support internal and external audits and follow established accounting procedures and internal controls.
• Perform other accounting, cost analysis, and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field required.
• 0-2 years of relevant accounting, finance, cost, inventory, or manufacturing experience.
• Strong understanding of basic accounting principles and financial concepts.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately with financial and operational data.
• Ability to learn ERP systems, accounting processes, and manufacturing cost structures quickly.
• Ability to work independently, exercise professional judgment, and investigate accounting discrepancies.

Required Skills

• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, sorting, filtering, and basic data analysis.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet month-end and reporting deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Manufacturing or inventory accounting experience.
• Exposure to cost accounting, inventory valuation, standard costing, or variance analysis.
• Experience with accounting or ERP systems; SAP Business One (SAP B1) is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Mandarin is a plus.

Benefits

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance; 401(k) with company match