About the Cost Accountant Role at Our Client through Robert Half

Robert Half is proud to partner with a respected industry leader in manufacturing to recruit a skilled Cost Accountant for their dynamic finance team in Franklin, Indiana. This full-time position offers a competitive salary of $75,000 and is ideal for experienced accounting professionals passionate about driving profitability in a manufacturing environment. As a Cost Accountant, you will serve as a pivotal finance partner to plant operations, ensuring accurate cost accounting, robust internal controls, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting. This role combines hands-on leadership in inventory management, standard costing, and systems upgrades with strategic analysis to enhance operational efficiency and cost savings.

Located in the heart of Franklin, IN, this opportunity allows you to make a tangible impact in a thriving manufacturing organization while enjoying the benefits of a close-knit community just south of Indianapolis. If you have 3+ years of cost accounting experience, expertise in Sage and Alere systems, and a track record of process improvements, this position will challenge you to leverage your skills in variance analysis, activity-based costing (ABC), and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

In this critical role, you will:

• Ensure timely and accurate accounting and reporting of cost of goods sold (COGS) and inventory general ledger accounts, maintaining the integrity of financial data.
• Lead finance efforts for system upgrades in Sage and Alere, optimizing cost accounting processes for greater efficiency.
• Oversee the accuracy of standard costs, including bill of materials (BOM), item costs, labor routings/rates, and overhead allocations to support precise pricing and profitability analysis.
• Analyze and report cost variances, partnering closely with operations supervisors to identify root causes and implement reductions from standard costs.
• Maintain strong controls over plant physical inventory, driving monthly cutoffs for receiving/shipping and conducting cycle counts to minimize discrepancies.
• Support product pricing decisions and gross margin evaluations by SKU and customer, while assessing labor efficiencies and staffing needs.
• Investigate scrap root causes, perform inventory cycle counts, and deliver actionable management reports to drive cost improvements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams on cost savings initiatives targeting materials, labor, and overhead reductions.
• Apply activity-based costing (ABC) methodologies to allocate overhead accurately and inform data-driven operational decisions.
• Engage directly with plant floor supervisors to promote adherence to standard costs and variance controls.
• Participate in Kaizen events and process improvement projects, preparing investment analyses (IRR, payback period, NPV) for new equipment acquisitions.
• Handle plant accruals in accordance with GAAP and reconcile related general ledger accounts.
• Perform ad hoc financial analyses and other finance functions as needed to support business objectives.

Required Qualifications for Cost Accountant

To succeed in this role, candidates must possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (required).
• At least 3+ years of direct cost accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing.
• CPA or CMA certification (strongly preferred).
• Deep proficiency in US GAAP, standard costing, and process accounting principles.
• Advanced skills in analysis, organization, and communication, with proven cross-functional partnership experience.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and Access.
• Hands-on experience with Sage and Alere ERP systems (highly desirable).
• Strong ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and juggle multiple projects.
• Demonstrated success as a strategic financial analyst supporting production planning and operations.

This position demands a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing setting and excels at translating financial data into actionable insights.

Why Join Us? Benefits and Opportunities

Joining this industry-leading manufacturer through Robert Half means stepping into a role where your expertise directly influences profitability and operational excellence. Enjoy a competitive $75,000 salary, leadership opportunities in finance, and involvement in cutting-edge system upgrades and Kaizen initiatives. Benefit from a supportive team environment, professional development in advanced costing techniques, and the stability of full-time employment in Franklin, Indiana. Robert Half provides unmatched career support, connecting top talent like you with premier opportunities. Ready to elevate your cost accounting career? Apply now and transform financial data into manufacturing success!