Sr. Cost Accountant/Analyst
Smiths Detection · Chicago, United States · full-time · On site · September 01, 2026
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Summary
This pivotal role, is responsible for analyzing manufacturing costs, preparing financial reports, and ensuring accurate cost management within our production processes. This position offers an exciting opportunity to apply accounting skills within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, contributing directly to the company's financial health and operational success.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Prepare and analyze cost reports related to materials, labor and overhead.
- Regular review of bill of materials for accuracy.
- Partner with production and supply chain to ensure accurate costing and establish/maintain best practices.
- Monitoring inventory valuation and reconciling cost discrepancies.
- Support physical inventory counts and reconciliations.
- Assisting with budgeting and forecasting based on cost trends and production data.
- Collaborating with operations and finance teams to improve cost efficiency.
- Conducting variance analysis and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Supporting month- and year-end close processes with accurate cost entries.
- Maintaining cost accounting systems and ensuring data integrity.
- Support pricing and profitability decisions.
- Understanding cost accounting standards, industry trends, and best practices.
- Assist with audits by providing detailed documentation of cost accounting procedures, account reconciliations, and financial data interpretation.
Qualifications
- At least 5 years of proven experience in accounting within a manufacturing industry environment with a strong understanding of cost accounting principles.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of cost accounting, inventory valuation, standard costing, and manufacturing variance analysis.
- Experience working with bills of materials, cost centers, inventory controls, and product cost structures.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and prior use of an ERP system.
- Solid understanding of U.S. GAAP and its application to inventory and manufacturing accounting.
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills with the ability to collaborate across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance.
- Manage detailed financial information with accuracy.
- Ability to interpret complex financial reports and conduct cost analysis to support strategic decision-making.
- Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail.
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.
At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)
- Employer
- Smiths Detection
- Location
- Chicago, United States · On site
- Contract
- full-time