At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse costs, manage inventory, and provide financial insights to drive profitability.
- Company: Established manufacturing business with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career visibility, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a team that values continuous improvement and offers genuine career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while honing your accounting skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost or management accounting and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: East Sussex
Reporting to: Finance Manager
The Opportunity
Recruitment South East is delighted to be supporting a well-established and growing manufacturing business in the search for a talented Cost Accountant. This is an excellent opportunity for an analytical and commercially minded finance professional who enjoys getting under the skin of the numbers.
Working closely with the Finance Manager and wider operational teams, you'll play a key role in ensuring the accuracy of costing data, providing meaningful financial insight and helping to drive profitability and efficiency across the business.
The successful candidate will thrive in a manufacturing environment and be confident working with large volumes of data, ERP systems and stakeholders across multiple departments.
Key Responsibilities
- Costing & Inventory Management
- Carry out quarterly cost roll-ups and review Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Analyse manufacturing variances, including material, labour and overhead costs.
- Monitor inventory valuation and reconcile inventory accounts.
- Coordinate and oversee stocktakes and cycle counts to ensure inventory accuracy.
- Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Produce margin analysis by both product and customer.
- Prepare month-end journals relating to inventory and cost of sales, including:
- Obsolescence provisions
- Labour and overhead reallocations
- Absorption adjustments
- Produce daily and weekly labour efficiency reports.
- Complete balance sheet reconciliations.
- Maintain the fixed asset register and process monthly depreciation journals.
- Prepare monthly board reporting relating to inventory ageing and inventory segmentation.
- Systems & Data Management
- Maintain and manage costing information within the ERP system.
- Ensure the integrity and accuracy of cost data across financial systems.
- Develop and improve reporting tools, including Excel models and business intelligence dashboards.
- Support system upgrades, automation projects and process improvements.
- Drive continuous improvement and standardisation initiatives across costing processes.
- Compliance & Controls
- Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, including UK GAAP and IFRS.
- Maintain robust internal controls surrounding inventory and costing activities.
- Prepare year-end schedules and support external audit processes.
- Document procedures and ensure adherence to internal policies and best practice.
- General Finance Support
- Undertake additional accounting duties as required by the Finance Manager or Financial Controller.
About You
To be successful in this role, you'll have previous experience within cost or management accounting and a strong understanding of manufacturing environments. You'll also bring:
- Proven experience within a Cost Accountant or Management Accountant role.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations and inventory processes.
- Experience using ERP systems such as Dynamics, SAP, Oracle or similar.
- Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, modelling and data analysis.
- Knowledge of standard costing and absorption costing methodologies.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to interpret data and communicate findings clearly.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to work accurately to deadlines.
Desirable Experience
- Experience using Microsoft Dynamics AX.
- Previous exposure to Sage Payroll and Sage HR.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles or process improvement methodologies.
- Experience transitioning from accountancy practice into a manufacturing environment would be advantageous.
Qualifications
- Professionally qualified or part-qualified (CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
What's on Offer?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a successful manufacturing business where you'll have genuine visibility across the organisation and the chance to influence decision-making through meaningful financial insight.
If you're someone who enjoys combining technical accounting expertise with commercial thinking and a passion for continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.
Cost Accountant employer: Recruitment South East
Join a well-established and growing manufacturing business in East Sussex, where your analytical skills as a Cost Accountant will be valued and impactful. With a strong focus on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and opportunities for continuous improvement, this company offers a rewarding environment for finance professionals eager to drive profitability and efficiency. Enjoy the benefits of working in a dynamic team that prioritises meaningful financial insight and fosters professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost Accountant
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Recruitment South East. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Cost Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Recruitment South East.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Recruitment South East's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruitment South East
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Recruitment South East.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Recruitment South East will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Recruitment South East employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
