Plant Cost Accountant

Plant Cost Accountant

Location: Houston, TX (Onsite)
Reports to: Plant Controller / Finance Manager
Industry: Manufacturing

Position Summary

The Plant Cost Accountant is responsible for managing and analyzing all aspects of product costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing variances within a high-volume production environment. This role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and Purchasing to ensure accurate cost data, support decision-making, and drive continuous cost improvement across the plant.

This is a hands-on manufacturing finance role requiring strong standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory control experience.

Key Responsibilities: Cost Accounting & Analysis

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead
• Perform weekly and monthly variance analysis (material, labor, overhead) and partner with Operations to investigate root causes
• Prepare and present cost reports highlighting trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Support new product costing, cost estimates, and margin analysis in collaboration with Engineering and Purchasing

Inventory & Manufacturing Finance

• Oversee inventory valuation, reconciliations, and reserves
• Manage and support cycle counts and physical inventories, including investigation and resolution of discrepancies
• Ensure accurate WIP, COGS, and inventory roll-forward reporting
• Support manufacturing close activities, including journal entries and account reconciliations

Systems & Data

• Maintain costing data within the ERP system (e.g., Epicor or similar manufacturing ERP)
• Ensure accuracy of BOMs, routings, labor standards, and overhead rates
• Develop and maintain Excel-based models and reports to support cost analysis and operational decisions

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality to support cost reduction and efficiency initiatives
• Support capital investment analysis and post-investment performance tracking
• Provide financial guidance to plant leadership related to cost structure and operational performance

Compliance & Audit Support

• Support internal and external audits related to inventory and cost accounting
• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and internal controls

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 3 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing or plant environment
• Strong experience with standard costing and variance analysis
• Hands-on experience with inventory accounting, cycle counts, and physical inventories
• Proficiency with manufacturing ERP systems (Epicor strongly preferred)
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in discrete or high-mix manufacturing environments
• Exposure to new product introduction (NPI) costing
• Experience partnering directly with plant operations and supply chain teams
• CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification a plus

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Comfortable working on the plant floor and with cross-functional teams
• High attention to detail with strong ownership mindset
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Why This Role

• Direct impact on plant performance and profitability
• High visibility with operations and plant leadership
• Opportunity to influence cost strategy and continuous improvement
• Stable, growth-oriented manufacturing environment

Pay: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000 - $95,000