Cost Accountant

We are looking for a Cost Accountant to join a manufacturing operation in Waterloo, Ontario and provide reliable financial insight that supports sound production and purchasing decisions. This position focuses on maintaining accurate product costing, reviewing operational variances, and delivering timely reporting that helps leaders understand plant performance. The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams to strengthen cost controls, improve data accuracy, and contribute to budgeting and ongoing efficiency initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain standard cost information by reviewing historical data, validating assumptions, and updating costing records to reflect current operating conditions.

• Refresh raw material cost standards on a regular monthly cycle using forecast information supplied by the purchasing team.

• Verify that production recipes and process specifications reflect accurate run rates and labour assumptions for costing purposes.

• Investigate purchasing and material usage variances to identify discrepancies and keep bills of material and standard costs aligned with actual operations.

• Prepare cost models for new items, product changes, and initiatives aimed at reducing manufacturing spend.

• Collaborate with Purchasing, Research and Development, and Manufacturing to support cost approvals, track labour-related variances, and assess financial results after product launches.

• Produce recurring operational finance reports covering areas such as purchase price variance, labour performance, yield, inventory movements, production volumes, and overhead spending.

• Reconcile income statement activity by reviewing variance-related transactions and correcting inconsistencies where required.

• Analyze plant expenses and prepare journal entries related to labour, utilities, and inventory account reconciliations.

• Assist with the annual budgeting process and support cost-reduction efforts in partnership with operational finance leadership.

Requirements Of the Position

• At least 3 years of cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.

• Previous exposure to food manufacturing considered an asset.

• Hands-on experience with ERP platforms and cost accounting systems.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

• Solid analytical and problem-solving abilities with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.

• Flexibility to work additional hours during month-end close periods when needed.

Our specialized recruiting professionals apply their expertise and utilize our proprietary AI to find you great job matches faster. This job posting is for a current vacancy with our client.

https://www.roberthalf.com/ca/en/job/waterloo-on/cost-accountant/05210-0013522745-caen