<p>A meticulous Cost Accountant is sought to manage cost control, standard costing and inventory valuation in a manufacturing or production environment. The successful candidate will work closely with production, procurement and finance teams to deliver accurate cost information for pricing and decision making. This role requires strong analytical skills, ERP experience and the ability to communicate complex cost drivers to non-finance colleagues.</p>
<p>This job description outlines the responsibilities, profile and qualifications required for a Cost Accountant role, suitable for HR, recruiters and staffing agencies seeking top candidates.</p>
<h2>Cost Accountant Job Profile</h2>
<p>The Cost Accountant will be responsible for establishing and maintaining costing systems, analysing variances and supporting budgetary control. They will provide timely cost reports and insights to help improve margin performance and operational efficiency. The role is ideal for candidates with a background in management accounting or cost accounting within manufacturing, distribution or production environments. Familiarity with ERP systems and standard costing techniques is essential.</p>
<h2>Cost Accountant Job Description</h2>
<p>The Cost Accountant prepares and maintains product costing, standard cost roll forwards, and month-end cost accounting schedules. They analyse variances between actual and standard costs, investigate root causes and recommend corrective actions. The post holder will also reconcile inventory balances and ensure accurate valuation in accordance with company policy and accounting standards. This role supports financial planning by contributing to budget preparation, forecasting and margin analysis.</p>
<p>The Cost Accountant liaises with production and procurement to capture cost drivers, review labour and overhead allocation methods and implement process improvements that reduce waste and cost volatility. The successful candidate will produce regular management reports, ad hoc cost studies and support internal and external audits. They will be expected to present findings to senior finance and operational managers, translating complex cost information into clear, actionable recommendations.</p>
<h2>Cost Accountant Duties and Responsibilities</h2>
<ul>
<li>Establish and maintain standard costing and cost accounting systems</li>
<li>Prepare month-end cost schedules, inventory reconciliations and journal entries</li>
<li>Analyse cost variances and investigate significant deviations from standards</li>
<li>Calculate product costings, bill of materials implications and labour absorption</li>
<li>Support budgeting, forecasting and margin analysis processes</li>
<li>Reconcile stock ledgers and supervise physical stock count procedures</li>
<li>Collaborate with production, procurement and engineering to capture cost drivers</li>
<li>Implement cost reduction initiatives and continuous improvement projects</li>
<li>Maintain cost master data within ERP and ensure data integrity</li>
<li>Prepare cost reports for management, highlighting risks and improvement opportunities</li>
<li>Support month-end, quarter-end and year-end audits and provide audit evidence</li>
</ul>
<h2>Cost Accountant Requirements and Qualifications</h2>
<ul>
<li>Qualified accountant or part-qualified (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) preferred</li>
<li>Proven experience in cost accounting or management accounting, ideally in manufacturing</li>
<li>Strong knowledge of standard costing, variance analysis and inventory valuation</li>
<li>Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle or similar; experience with MRP modules is an advantage</li>
<li>Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, Vlookup and data analysis techniques</li>
<li>Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail</li>
<li>Strong communication skills and the ability to present technical information to non-financial stakeholders</li>
<li>Demonstrable ability to work to deadlines in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities</li>
<li>Experience in process improvement methodologies and cost control programmes</li>
<li>Commitment to accurate record keeping and compliance with accounting standards</li>
</ul>