Senior Cost Accountant in Chattanooga, Tennessee at Sherman and Reilly Inc

About Sherman + Reilly

Established in 1927, Sherman + Reilly is North America's leading manufacturer of transmission and distribution line-stringing equipment for the electric utility industry. From our Chattanooga headquarters, we design and build pullers, bullwheel tensioners, puller-tensioners, pilot line winders, underground pullers, reel trailers, reel stands, and stringing blocks, engineered for safety and built to last. Driven by a nearly century-long commitment to lineman safety and continuous innovation, we partner with the electric power industry to help meet the energy needs of the future. As part of Quanta Services, a leading infrastructure solutions provider for the electric power industry, we pair a nearly century-old brand with the scale and career opportunity of a large parent organization.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Accountant to own the cost accounting function end to end in a make-to-order and make-to-stock manufacturing environment. As the primary owner of standard costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing variance analysis, you will provide the operations and leadership teams with the cost insight they need to price competitively and improve margins. You will also model cost scenarios for engineering changes and sourcing shifts and support the forecasting of cost of goods sold, inventory, and gross margin as the business scales through a period of significant growth. This is a hands-on role for someone who is equally comfortable on the shop floor understanding how a unit is built and in the ERP system making sure the numbers reflect reality.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain standard costs, including material, labor, and overhead rates; lead the annual standard cost roll and periodic cost updates.

• Maintain the integrity of bills of material (BOMs) and routings in partnership with Engineering and Operations; investigate and resolve cost discrepancies.

• Own month-end close activities for inventory and cost of goods sold, including journal entries, reconciliations, and account analysis.

• Analyze and report on manufacturing variances (purchase price, material usage, labor efficiency, and overhead absorption); identify root causes and recommend corrective actions.

• Value and reconcile raw material, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory; ensure proper accounting treatment and reserve analysis for excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory.

• Support and audit physical inventories and cycle count programs; investigate variances and help strengthen inventory controls.

• Prepare product-line and job-level margin analysis, including gross margin bridge and trend analysis, to support pricing, quoting, and profitability decisions.

• Model cost scenarios for engineering changes and sourcing or supplier shifts; quantify the financial and margin impact to support commercial and procurement decisions.

• Partner with Operations to identify cost-reduction opportunities and quantify the financial impact of process improvements and engineering changes.

• Support budgeting and forecasting for cost of goods sold, inventory, and gross margin, and prepare capital expenditure analysis for the manufacturing operation.

• Serve as the finance point of contact for Operations, Supply Chain, and Sourcing on cost-related matters.

• Provide cost data and support for internal and external audits.

• Develop and maintain reporting and dashboards that give leadership timely visibility into cost and margin performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• 5+ years of accounting experience, including cost accounting in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong working knowledge of standard costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing variance analysis.

• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP as it applies to inventory and cost of goods sold.

• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (SAP or other similar platforms) and advanced Excel skills.

• Proven ability to work independently and own the cost accounting function end to end with minimal oversight.

• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial partners in engineering, production, and operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in engineer-to-order / make-to-order manufacturing.

• Familiarity with BOM and routing structures and shop-floor data collection.

• Experience accounting for duty, tariffs, and import costs on purchased components and materials.

• ERP implementation or system migration experience (e.g., SAP S/4HANA).

• CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is based on-site at our Chattanooga, TN facility and includes regular time on the manufacturing floor to understand production processes and validate costs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Why Sherman + Reilly

• Join a nearly 100-year-old company that sets the standard in its industry.

• Work where your cost analysis has a direct, visible impact on how products are priced and built.

• Be part of a culture where safety, quality, and innovation come first.

• Grow your career with the backing and mobility of Quanta Services.

Total Rewards

Sherman + Reilly offers a competitive total rewards package backed by the scale of Quanta Services, designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:

• Competitive base salary with annual performance-based bonus eligibility.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

• Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and company-paid life and disability insurance.

• Support for professional development and CPA/CMA continuing education.

• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Sherman + Reilly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.