Cost Accountant - Life Science

SPT Labtech is a global supplier of innovative lab automation products for the life science markets. Our solutions save time and material costs and simplify complex operations. We are natural innovators. We create, design and manufacture high quality, robust and innovative automated laboratory equipment for academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.

With global headquarters based in Cambridge, UK, SPT Labtech makes products that transform the way scientists work. For decades, our expert scientists, engineers and business innovators have provided scientists with world-leading, innovative solutions for liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management that help accelerate research and make a real difference to human health. We work collaboratively with our customers, building trusted relationships that enable us to deliver exceptional, personalized experiences designed for real-world challenges in the lab.

We are seeking a highly motivated hands-on Cost Accountant to join the SPT Labtech Covina finance team. This role will analyze manufacturing costs, maintain standard costs and inventory values, monitor variances, and support budgeting, forecasting, and month-end close activities. This role is ideal for someone with strong manufacturing accounting experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to partner with operations and finance leaders to improve cost visibility and control.

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs (materials, labor, overhead) for bills of materials (BOM) and track actual unit costs across product lines.

• Analyze manufacturing variances, e.g., purchase price, labor, overhead, usage, absorption, production volume or standard-to-actual variances. 

• Work with Group to understand product and SKU level gross margin. 

• Perform monthly inventory valuation and reconciliation across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods, including reconciliation of inventory records to the general ledger.
• Partner with operations, manufacturing engineers, purchasing, and leadership to improve cost accuracy, margin visibility, and overall profitability insight.
• Develop reporting tools that improve plant performance visibility and help leadership understand what is driving financial results.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory, cost of goods sold and manufacturing performance.
• Prepare journal entries, schedules, and supporting analysis with a strong focus on accuracy, documentation, and timeliness.
• Support physical inventory counts and cycle counting programs; investigate discrepancies and drive corrective action to improve controls.
• Support inventory controls by reviewing cycle count results, physical inventory adjustments, slow-moving and obsolete inventory reserves, and inventory reconciliation activity.
• Identify process gaps and recommend solutions that improve costing accuracy, operational discipline, and management reporting.
• Participate in annual budgeting, standard cost development, and periodic forecasts, providing inputs on production volumes, COGS, and operational expenses.
• Support annual and periodic audits with respect to inventory.
• Ensure compliance with Group IFRS inventory policies and procedures. 
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA or CMA preferred.
• 3+ years of progressive Cost or Inventory Accounting experience in a manufacturing business is a must.
• Experience leading annual standard cost updates, supporting BOM, routing and costing master data, inventory provision calculations and inventory valuations. 
• AI literacy and confidence using tools to support data analysis, reporting, reconciliations and process improvement is desirable. 
• Solid understanding of GAAP, manufacturing accounting, and cost accounting principles.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (including Pivot Tables, Power Query, XLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, SUMIFS and complex formulas), including the ability to build cost models and reconciliations using transactional data sets.
• Experience with an ERP system/QuickBooks a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Ability to work regularly on the production floor with operators, supervisors, and engineers; this role requires active engagement with manufacturing operations.
• Self-motivated, independent, proactive and adaptable

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Our company culture supports diversity and is inclusive of all regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, or family status, and we endeavor to support our employees' needs to the best of our ability.