Description

The Cost Accountant is responsible for managing and analyzing manufacturing costs to improve profitability and support informed business decisions. This role helps maintain standard costing, monitors cost variances (material, labor, and overhead), and provides timely insights to drive operational and financial performance. The Cost Accountant partners cross-functionally to ensure accurate costing, pricing alignment, and margin improvement.

Reports directly to the Controller; no direct reports. Collaborates with Finance, Operations, Engineering, IT, and Customer Resource teams.

Requirements

Cost Accounting & Analysis

•       Maintain and analyze standard costs, including material, labor, and overhead rates; investigate and report variances against actuals.

•       Prepare and distribute monthly Purchase Price Variance (PPV) reports; identify root causes and work with Procurement to resolve discrepancies.

•       Support month-end and year-end close activities related to manufacturing costs.

•       Maintain the integrity of the cost accounting system and ensure alignment with GAAP.

Financial Reporting & Forecasting

•       Assist in the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial plans for manufacturing and operations.

•       Analyze tooling sales profitability and other product-line margins; present findings with actionable recommendations.

•       Monitor and report on capital expenditure spending versus budget.

Operational Partnership

•       Collaborate with Operations and Engineering teams to evaluate cost-reduction initiatives, process improvements.

•       Provide financial support for new product costing and quoting processes.

•       Review and analyze inventory valuations, cycle count results, and obsolescence reserves.

•       Support pricing decisions through detailed cost and margin analysis.

Systems & Continuous Improvement

•       Leverage ERP and AI systems to automate and streamline financial workflows.

•       Identify opportunities to improve data accuracy and reporting efficiency; document processes and maintain SOPs.

•       Support internal and external audit requests related to manufacturing cost data.

•       Advanced Excel skills (PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP functions).

•       Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures and ERP systems.

•       Solid analytical and problem-solving ability with high attention to detail.

•       Effective communication and presentation skills across all levels of the organization.

•       Strong time management and personal accountability.

•       Clear, professional communication across departments and teams.

•       Consistent professionalism, reliability, and collaborative attitude.

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. Minimum 2–4 years of cost accounting or manufacturing finance experience.

Onsite in an office setting with regular interaction on the manufacturing floor.

Summary

What We Do

General Stamping & Metalworks is a leading supplier of stampings and assemblies to the North American solar power industry, which is forecasting another decade of double-digit growth. In addition, we are a key supplier to market leaders in a diverse set of industries including outdoor power equipment, agricultural and construction equipment, recreational vehicles and industrial trucks.

GSM has been in business since 1922, and we realize that our employees spend a large portion of their lives working; therefore, we have invested in the finest facility and grounds in the fabricating industry. We also invest in state-of-the-art equipment, technology, and in our greatest resource, our employees.

What Makes Us Different

GSM is proud of our diverse, welcoming workforce, and we make every effort and investment to ensure their success and provide a path to build better lives. We offer:

• Excellent wages

• $2/hour shift premium for 2nd shift

• Tuition reimbursement program

• Cafeteria

• Fully equipped fitness center

• Locker rooms with showers

• Air-conditioned welding department

• Employee wellness initiatives (on-site flu vaccination, wellness care, and EAP resources)

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits

• 401(K), holiday pay, and vacation accrual that starts on the date of hire

• Advancement opportunities only a growing company can provide

• Able to speak clearly and understandably, with  a pleasant tone of voice and manner
• Ability to hear within a range that enables normal telephone communication
• Able to see a computer screen within reasonable reading distance without strain
• Able to type at a keyboard without bodily or psychological discomfort most of the working day
• Ability to ambulate around the office environment and manufacturing floor comfortably in order to fulfill tasks required in various offices and departments