Sr. Cost Accountant

Senior Cost Accountant – Manufacturing

Location: Staunton, VA or Richmond, VA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $100,000–$150,000

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Accountant to provide financial leadership within a manufacturing environment.

This role has a strong focus on standard costing, inventory accounting, variance analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and process improvement . You'll work closely with operations and executive leadership to understand manufacturing costs, improve financial performance, and provide accurate information that supports business decisions.

The ideal candidate has significant manufacturing accounting experience and understands how financial performance connects directly to plant operations.

What You'll Do

• Manage standard costing , including cost rolls, overhead calculations, overhead rates, and cost updates.
• Analyze manufacturing, labor, overhead, and inventory variances to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Maintain accurate inventory valuations within the ERP system.
• Support physical inventory counts, reconciliations, and inventory-control processes.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities.
• Prepare accurate financial statements, management reports, and performance metrics.
• Analyze and present budget-to-actual results and financial variances to leadership.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Maintain compliance with US GAAP, internal controls, company policies, and regulatory requirements .
• Support payroll administration and coordinate with Human Resources on deductions, benefits, workers' compensation, COBRA, and 401(k) programs.
• Support cash management and multi-state sales tax compliance.
• Analyze customer credit risk and provide recommendations using financial information and D&B reporting.
• Support external audits, tax compliance, and financial reporting requirements.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives across accounting, ERP, inventory, payroll, and reporting processes.
• Partner with production, operations, supply chain, HR, and executive leadership to improve financial and operational performance.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field .
• 5+ years of accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on experience with standard costing methodology .
• 5+ years of experience in a lead accounting or finance capacity with exposure to accounting operations, payroll, cash management, sales tax, and regulatory compliance.
• Thorough understanding of US GAAP and accounting best practices .
• Strong analytical and financial problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to operational and executive leadership.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Required Accounting Experience

• Cost Accounting
• Standard Costing
• Manufacturing Cost Analysis
• Inventory Accounting & Valuation
• Variance Analysis
• General Ledger Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• Month-End & Year-End Close
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• ERP Systems
• Internal Controls
• Payroll & Cash Management

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel .
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience working within manufacturing ERP systems.
• Ability to analyze large amounts of operational and financial data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Preferred Background

Candidates with previous experience as a:

• Senior Cost Accountant
• Cost Accounting Manager
• Manufacturing Accountant
• Plant Accountant
• Accounting Manager
• Assistant Controller
• Plant Controller

are especially encouraged to apply.

Compensation

• $100,000–$150,000 annual salary , based on experience and qualifications.

Ideal Candidate

You're a manufacturing accounting professional who understands that cost accounting goes beyond producing reports. You can dig into production costs, inventory, labor, overhead, and operational variances to understand what's driving financial performance .

You enjoy working directly with operations and leadership, improving processes, and providing financial insight that helps the business make better decisions.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced cost accountant looking to take on a high-impact manufacturing finance role with significant responsibility and visibility .