Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant

Location: Teesside

Salary: Negotiable

Employment Type: Full-time

Hours: Monday - Friday - office hours

About the Role

My client are seeking a detail-oriented and commercially minded Cost Accountant to join their manufacturing site based in Teesside, The successful candidate will support financial planning and analysis activities across manufacturing operations, ensuring accurate product costing, inventory valuation, reporting, and cost control. The role will work closely with production, procurement, operations, and finance teams to improve profitability and support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Costing and Financial Analysis

Prepare and maintain standard product costing models.

Analyse manufacturing costs including labour, materials, overheads, and production variances.

Monitor and investigate cost variances and identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Support monthly inventory valuation and cost accounting activities.

Produce margin analysis and profitability reporting by product, customer, or business area.

Review cost structures and recommend opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency improvements.

Reporting and Month-End Activities

Support month-end close processes related to manufacturing and inventory accounting.

Prepare journals, accruals, reconciliations, and management reports.

Assist with budget preparation and forecasting processes.

Deliver regular KPI reporting covering manufacturing performance, scrap, labour efficiency, and material usage.

Provide financial analysis and commentary to management.

Manufacturing and Operational Support

Work closely with production teams to understand manufacturing processes and operational drivers.

Support inventory control and stock count processes.

Participate in cycle counts and annual stock takes.

Ensure accuracy of Bills of Materials (BOMs) and product costing data.

Support continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.

Compliance and Controls

Maintain strong financial controls and ensure compliance with company policies.

Support internal and external audit requirements.

Assist in maintaining accurate records and documentation.

Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and procedures.

Skills and Experience

Essential

Previous experience in a Cost Accountant role within a manufacturing environment

Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and manufacturing processes.

Experience with standard costing and variance analysis.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Ability to communicate effectively with both finance and operational teams.

High level of attention to detail and organisational skills.

Desirable

Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA, or equivalent).

Experience using ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, or similar.

Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Understanding of lean manufacturing principles.

Personal Attributes

Commercially aware with a proactive approach.

Able to work independently and prioritise competing deadlines.

Collaborative and capable of building relationships across departments.

Results-focused with a continuous improvement mindset.

Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience.

Company pension scheme.

Holiday entitlement plus bank holidays.

Training and development opportunities.

Additional manufacturing sector benefits as applicable.

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