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, professional development, and the chance to influence decision-making.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and visibility across the organisation.
- Why this job: Combine your accounting skills with commercial thinking in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost or management accounting and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ 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 in Hailsham employer: Recruitment South East
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost Accountant in Hailsham
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Recruitment South East, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Cost Accountant in Hailsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Recruitment South East specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruitment South East
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Recruitment South East, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Recruitment South East value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
