Cost Accountant in Washington

Axon Moore are delighted to be working with a well-established and growing manufacturing business to appoint an Assistant Plant Controller.

This is a key role within the finance team, supporting the financial and operational performance of the manufacturing site.

We are looking for an experienced Cost Accountant with a background in manufacturing for an operations-focused finance environment.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, this role will work closely with the wider operational teams to provide financial insight, maintain strong controls and drive continuous improvement, with a clear development path.

Salary and Benefits

• Site-based working with some work from home options, pension, holiday allowance, excellent opportunities for development and progression plus many more available on request.

Key responsibilities

• Take responsibility for supporting the month-end process, ensuring financial information is accurate and delivered within agreed deadlines
• Produce and review reporting around standard costs, inventory, absorption and manufacturing performance
• Review site expenditure and identify key cost drivers across labour, materials, overheads, waste and production losses
• Work alongside operational teams to understand variances, investigate underlying causes and ensure appropriate actions are followed through
• Assist with the review and maintenance of standard costing, including supporting annual updates
• Oversee the financial review of inventory movements, valuations and reconciliations
• Provide meaningful analysis on manufacturing performance, including labour utilisation, yield, throughput, downtime and overall efficiency
• Support the budgeting and forecasting process, providing accurate financial information and analysis
• Build financial models and scenario analysis to understand the impact of production volumes, capacity and operational changes
• Develop strong working relationships with key operational stakeholders across the site
• Provide clear financial insight to non-finance teams, helping them understand performance and make informed decisions
• Work closely with the Financial Controller to challenge assumptions, highlight areas of concern and encourage financial accountability
• Support the delivery of continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing site
• Identify ways to improve existing processes, reporting and efficiencies across the finance function and wider business
• Assist with initiatives focused on cost savings, productivity, waste reduction and working capital
• Provide cover for the Financial Controller when required, taking ownership of key responsibilities as appropriate
• Assist with external audits, internal controls and ensuring relevant financial documentation is maintained
• Provide ad-hoc financial analysis and support to the wider site leadership team as required

Professional qualification and competencies

• Qualification in ACA, ACCA, CIMA or Qualified by Experience
• Experience within a manufacturing, industrial or operations-focused finance environment is essential
• Good understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, absorption and manufacturing variance analysis
• Strong Excel, analytical and financial modelling skills
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and production reporting tools–SAP would be beneficial
• Strong financial acumen with excellent attention to detail and data integrity
• Commercially minded with an understanding of how operational performance impacts financial results
• Strong communication and business partnering skills, with the confidence to challenge assumptions when required
• Able to work proactively, use own initiative and follow issues through to resolution
• Resilient, pragmatic and solution-focused in a fast-paced operational environment
• Experience managing within the team would be beneficial
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