Senior Cost Accountant

[HYBRID] Senior Cost Accountant  
Location: Des Plaines, IL - HYBRID (3 days onsite, 2 days WFH)
Salary: $105,000 - $125,000 + Full Benefits 
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, PTO, Holidays 
Job Type: Full Time
Typical Hours: Mon-Fri; Flexible (40 hrs./wk.); 2 days remote 
Start Date: ASAP
Sponsorship is not available 

[HYBRID] Senior Cost Accountant Description

Our client, a reputable US-based manufacturer, is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to join its finance team in Des Plaines, IL. This role is critical in ensuring the accuracy of inventory-related financial data, driving efficiency in inventory utilization, and supporting the integrity of monthly financial reporting. This is much more than a traditional accounting position. The company is seeking someone who understands the bigger picture—someone who can partner with Operations and Supply Chain, translate data into actionable business insights, and help drive cost reduction and margin improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and wants to play a key role in inventory optimization while supporting a fast-moving, growing finance organization. This is a rare opportunity to join a lean, low-red-tape environment that offers true autonomy, a strong work-life balance, and a clear pathway for career growth and promotion.

[HYBRID] Senior Cost Accountant Responsibilities

•    Analyze inventory trends by location
•    Partner with Operations/Supply Chain to reduce carrying costs 
•    Build and maintain inventory KPIs and dashboards 
•    Support standard cost reviews, BOM analysis, and cycle counts 
•    Prepare journal entries for inventory, COGS, and accruals 
•    Reconcile inventory subledger to GL; resolve discrepancies 
•    Perform variance analysis (PPV, labor, overhead) with commentary for leadership 
•    Support monthly reporting packages and working capital insights 
•    Assist with budgeting/forecasting for inventory and production costs 
•    Identify cost reduction and margin improvement opportunities 
•    Drive close process efficiency through automation and standardization 
•    Support ERP integration and data accuracy initiatives 
•    Provide financial support for Lean/continuous improvement projects

[HYBRID] Senior Cost Accountant Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s Degree required
•    3+ years of cost accounting experience required 
•    Manufacturing accounting industry experience required
•    Strong knowledge of inventory accounting and standard costing/COGS required
•    ERP system experience required; Dynamics 365 a bonus 
•    Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs) required