Cost Accountant (Manufacturing)

Cost Accountant Waverly, Iowa Must-Haves 5+ years of accounting or finance experience Manufacturing environment experience required Strong cost accounting background ERP system experience required (SAP, Deacom, NetSuite, Epicor, or similar) Experience analyzing manufacturing costs, inventory, variances, and gross profit margins Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field preferred Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment Compensation $85K-$115K base salary Full benefits package Cost Accountant A growing manufacturing company in Waverly, Iowa is seeking a skilled Cost Accountant to join its finance team. This role will work closely with the Corporate Controller and CFO to support financial reporting, cost analysis, inventory management, and operational performance initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong manufacturing accounting experience, a deep understanding of cost accounting principles, and the ability to analyze data to improve profitability and operational efficiency. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional looking for strong visibility, cross-functional collaboration, and long-term growth within a stable manufacturing environment. Key Responsibilities Support month-end and year-end financial close processes, including inventory balancing, transfer entries, and variance analysis Calculate and analyze gross profit margins and communicate results to Finance and Operations leadership Partner with manufacturing facilities on cycle counts, labor and overhead rates, BOMs, and routing analysis Analyze manufacturing costs, labor absorption, variances, and operational performance trends Assist in establishing and maintaining work center rates for manufacturing operations Review completed shop orders and investigate significant cost variances Support annual cost roll processes and perform ongoing cost analysis as needed Apply cost accounting principles to inventory management, operational reporting, and process improvement initiatives Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and special financial analysis projects Support continuous improvement efforts related to costing accuracy and operational efficiency What We're Looking For Strong understanding of manufacturing accounting and inventory processes Experience working with ERP systems and financial reporting tools High attention to detail with strong problem-solving and analytical abilities Ability to communicate effectively across finance, operations, and manufacturing teams Self-starter who can manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines Strong customer service mindset and collaborative approach Preferred Experience Knowledge of QuickBooks Experience with BOMs, routings, labor analysis, and variance reporting Exposure to manufacturing process improvement initiatives Why This Opportunity? High-impact role with direct exposure to leadership Opportunity to influence operational and financial performance Stable and growing manufacturing environment Collaborative culture with strong long-term career potential