Senior Financial Analyst - Manufacturing Operations

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Finance Analyst to provide detailed analysis and financial insight into Manufacturing Operations including cost structures, inventory valuation, manufacturing expenses, and profitability. This role will play an important part in supporting operational and financial decision-making while helping improve cost management, financial controls, and reporting accuracy.

The Senior Cost Accountant will work closely with Finance, Production, Procurement, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams to ensure accurate cost reporting and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Analysis

• Prepare, analyze, and report on manufacturing costs, production overhead, and other expenses affecting profitability.
• Analyze cost variances and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop meaningful cost analysis and reporting to support management decision-making.
• Review standard and actual costs and investigate significant variances.
• Provide financial insight into cost drivers and operational performance.

Inventory Management

• Perform regular analysis of inventory balances and valuation.
• Ensure inventory is accurately valued using appropriate costing methods and in accordance with company policies and accounting principles.
• Reconcile inventory accounts and investigate discrepancies.
• Partner with Production, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams to improve inventory accuracy and controls.
• Support efforts to optimize inventory levels and reduce excess, obsolete, or inefficient inventory.

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Prepare month-end journal entries and reconciliations related to cost accounting.
• Reconcile cost of goods sold, inventory, manufacturing costs, and related accounts.
• Prepare and analyze inventory valuation adjustments and cost variances.
• Support the preparation of accurate monthly and quarterly financial reporting.
• Ensure cost accounting activities are completed accurately and within established reporting deadlines.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Partner with Finance and operational teams to support annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Analyze historical and current cost trends to support financial forecasts.
• Identify potential financial impacts of changes in production volumes, material costs, labor, overhead, and other operating expenses.
• Provide recommendations based on cost trends and financial analysis.

Cost Control & Process Improvement

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve cost efficiency and profitability.
• Support cost reduction initiatives across manufacturing and operational functions.
• Evaluate existing processes and recommend improvements to strengthen financial controls and reporting accuracy.
• Develop and maintain cost accounting procedures, reports, and supporting documentation.
• Promote continuous improvement within the cost accounting function.

Audit & Compliance

• Support internal and external audits by providing cost accounting schedules, records, analysis, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure cost accounting activities comply with applicable accounting principles, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and organized documentation to support financial reporting and audit requirements.
• Assist with government or contract-related accounting requirements, as applicable.

Cross-Functional & Project Support

• Collaborate with Production, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, and other departments to resolve cost and accounting issues.
• Participate in cross-functional projects involving financial controls, process improvements, system enhancements, and data accuracy.
• Provide financial analysis and support for special projects and operational initiatives.
• Communicate complex cost and financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting principles, inventory accounting, manufacturing costs, and financial reporting.
• Ability to think analytically and to flush out margin improvement opportunities
• Experience working with financial data and analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or CMA certification.
• Experience with percentage-of-completion (POC) accounting.
• Experience with government or contract accounting.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations with complex cost structures.
• Familiarity with advanced ERP, financial reporting, or business intelligence systems.
• Experience developing cost reduction strategies and financial process improvements.