Cost Accountant in Perry, Iowa at Osmundson Manufacturing Co.

JOB SUMMARY

The Cost Accountant is responsible for driving visibility into product cost, manufacturing efficiency, and margin performance across operations. This role connects finance and operations by translating production activity into clear financial insight that supports pricing, profitability, and decision-making. The position works closely with plant leadership to understand operational performance and its financial impact, ensuring accurate cost data and meaningful analysis.

MAIN FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain and improve standard cost models, including material, labor, and overhead components.
• Analyze labor efficiency, throughput, material usage, scrap, and yield to identify performance trends and cost drivers.
• Evaluate over- and under-absorption of labor and overhead to ensure accurate cost allocation.
• Deliver weekly cost and margin reporting with clear financial impact and actionable insights.
• Identify and quantify cost drivers and margin leaks across production processes.
• Partner with Operations to validate production data, investigate variances, and support process improvements.
• Support pricing and quoting decisions by providing accurate and reliable cost data.
• Assist with inventory and production-related accounting activities during the month-end close process.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing cost accounting.
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory/WIP accounting. Strong Excel skills required; ERP experience preferred (Infor a plus).
• Operational Collaboration: Comfortable working with operations teams and plant personnel to understand production activity and financial impact.
• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyse data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable insights.
• Problem-Solving: Demonstrates curiosity and a proactive approach to understanding root causes and resolving issues.
• Communication: Ability to clearly communicate complex financial information to both finance and operations teams.
• Work Style: Comfortable working on the plant floor, asking questions, and engaging directly with operational teams.