Cost Accountant
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (hybrid working)
Role Overview
The Cost Accountant will provide accurate, timely financial reporting and analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making within a manufacturing environment. The role supports cost control, forecasting, and performance insight across production operations.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting & Analysis
- Prepare monthly management reports, including margin and performance analysis
- Produce monthly P&lsb;L&rsb; for two key business units
- Support the month‑end close process
- Produce rolling forecasts, with a focus on production costs
- Deliver weekly efficiency reporting across production operations
- Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights
Cost Accounting
- Perform variance analysis (material, labour, overhead), identifying key drivers
- Review cost absorption and overhead allocation
- Support the standard costing process
- Participate in stock obsolescence reviews and related analysis
- Partner with operations to improve cost efficiency and reduce waste
Planning & Forecasting
- Support budgeting and forecasting processes
- Monitor actual vs budget and highlight key variances
Business Partnering
- Work cross‑functionally to support data‑driven decision making
- Collaborate with procurement to track cost savings
- Provide ad hoc financial analysis
- Controls & Process Improvement
- Support audit and year‑end requirements
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and systems
- Contribute to cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Part or fully qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA - CIMA preferred) or qualified by experience
- Experience in a manufacturing or production environment
- Strong Excel and data analysis skills
- Experience with ERP systems
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage non‑finance stakeholders
- Understanding of standard costing
Desirable
- Power BI / Power Query experience
Personal Attributes
- Analytical with strong attention to detail
- Commercial and operationally focused
- Proactive with a questioning mindset
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills
- Able to work independently in a fast‑paced environment
Benefits
You will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days' paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts portal.
We are also a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
