Sr Cost Accountant at Cornerstone Building Brands — Auburn, WA

The Senior Cost Accountant is responsible for providing accounting support to our US Apertures manufacturing plants. This role will play a key role in the finance department, providing expertise and leadership in various accounting and financial functions. With a strong background in accounting principles and experience in the manufacturing industry, you will be responsible for ensuring accurate inventory accounting, financial reporting, analyzing financial data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support business decisions.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for raw materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead.
• Calculate and monitor product costs, manufacturing variances, and profitability by product line.
• Perform monthly cost rollups and standard cost updates; monitor and explain variances.
• Analyze cost trends and recommend actions to improve margins and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Manage inventory accounting processes, including valuation, reserves, and reconciliation.
• Ensure accurate accounting for raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods inventory.
• Assist physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies and inventory-related variances.
• Analyze production efficiency (MPO), labor utilization, scrap, waste, yield, and overhead absorption.
• Prepare and review manufacturing KPIs and operational performance metrics.
• Partner with plant management to identify and monitor cost-saving opportunities and process improvements.
• Support month-end close activities related to inventory, cost of sales, and manufacturing operations.
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Analyze and explain manufacturing variances including:
• Material price and usage variances
• Labor rate and efficiency variances
• Overhead spending and volume variances
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and company accounting policies
• Support the preparation of financial data for audits and liaise with external auditors.
• Support annual operating budgets and periodic forecasts for manufacturing operations.
• Develop production cost forecasts and spending plans.
• Monitor actual results against budget and explain significant variances.
• Serve as a key finance resource for ERP systems related to inventory and costing.
• Improve costing methodologies, reporting tools, and financial processes.
• Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and automation initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3+ plus years of accounting experience in the manufacturing industry.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and variance analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Ability to work independently and lead a project team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Professional certification (e.g., CPA) is a plus but not mandatory.
• All Microsoft Office products proficiency desired.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $80,000-$100,000 + bonus + medical, dental, vision benefits starting day 1 + 401k and PTO. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. (Full-time is defined as regularly working 30+ hours per week.)

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