Cost Accountant– Standard Costing Specialist

Job Description:

Overview:

Job Title: Cost Accountant – Standard Costing Specialist

Type: Contractor – 12 Months

Location: On-Site

Reporting to: Controller

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Cost Accountant to lead the implementation and maintenance of standard costing practices at our manufacturing facility. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in developing, analyzing, and managing standard cost systems in a production environment, ensuring accurate product costing, supporting operational efficiency, and contributing to strategic financial decisions.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead across all manufacturing operations.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and procurement to analyze BOMs, routings, labor, and overhead drivers to establish accurate cost standards.
• Conduct time studies in collaboration with production and engineering teams to establish accurate labor standards and production rates.
• Establish standard costs using the gross margin method, especially for new or customized products, by working backward from target pricing and desired margin levels.
• Develop a process to monitor and report on cost variances (material, labor, and overhead), including root cause analysis and follow-up with relevant departments.
• Develop a process for the annual standard cost roll up, including updates for new products, process changes, and inflationary factors.
• Provide cost modeling and scenario analysis to support pricing, capital investments, and strategic planning.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, and SOX requirements (if applicable)

Qualifications/Experience required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment, with proven experience setting up standard costs.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, BOMs, routings, and cost allocation methodologies.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft D365, SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with ERP implementations or cost reengineering projects.

Time Commitment:
This is a temporary assignment for the duration of the ERP implementation, expected to last 12 months. Flexibility may be required during key phases of the project such as testing and go-live.