Cost Accountant
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Compensation:
$80,000 to $100,000
Position Summary
A leading manufacturing organization is seeking a highly detail-oriented and strategic Senior Cost Accountant to oversee and advance cost accounting functions. This role will be responsible for planning, collecting, and analyzing financial data to accurately determine the costs of business activities. The Senior Cost Accountant will play a key role in cost analysis, benchmarking, budgeting support, and implementing cost control measures that enhance operational efficiency and profitability.
Reporting directly to the Controller, this position will partner closely with cross-functional leaders to ensure cost transparency and deliver insights that support scalable growth. This individual will also help shape and evolve the cost accounting function—developing processes, making recommendations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all cost accounting functions, including the development and continuous improvement of standard costing practices.
- Develop and maintain company cost accounting policies, procedures, and reporting frameworks.
- Provide recommendations and implement cost-saving solutions to increase profitability.
- Calculate monthly excess and obsolete (E&O) reserves and communicate findings to operations managers.
- Maintain inventory reserves related to market withdrawals, recalls, and other field actions.
- Calculate and upload revisions to standard costs; analyze variances between standard and actual costs (purchase price and absorption variances).
- Facilitate monthly cycle counts and annual physical inventory counts.
- Partner with Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Operations to cost new products.
- Support budgeting and forecasting processes with accurate reporting and analysis.
- Manage fixed assets listings and depreciation schedules in collaboration with the Controller.
- Prepare detailed cost reports ensuring compliance with GAAP and internal standards.
- Guide Operations in ROI calculations for capital projects and recommend alternative processes for cost savings.
Qualifications & Skills
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or equivalent experience (required).
- Experience: 2–5 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment (required).
- Medical Device or other regulated industry manufacturing experience (preferred).
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, including core accounting principles and procedures.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial analysis.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate across departments.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing and/or activity-based costing (preferred).
- Ability to adapt to change and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
