Cost Accountant - Plumstead Consulting : Job Details

Cost Accountant

Fixed Term Contract 6 - 12 months

Up to 55k pa

Location: Dumfries, Southwest Scotland

Benefits and Role Overview:

Join a global leader in manufacturing, renowned for its innovation and excellence. This role offers the chance to be part of a dynamic European Finance team, contributing to the financial health and operational success of a company that serves the automotive, industrial, and Oil and Gas sectors. The position promises a collaborative environment, working closely with cross-functional departments to ensure accurate and compliant accounting treatments.

What to Expect:

The Cost Accountant will report to the Senior Finance Business Partner, playing a pivotal role in managing and reporting all manufacturing-related costs. This includes analysing variances in material usage and purchase pricing, participating in standard cost reviews, and supporting key forecasting activities. The role demands a proactive approach to identifying and solving issues, with a strong focus on continuous improvement.

Key Duties:

• Assist in the preparation and submission of monthly management accounts to Europe and Corporate Headquarters in the USA under strict deadlines.
• Collaborate with the Operations team, delivering proactive financial insights to support operational performance and business goals.
• Generate weekly and monthly operational performance reports, including variance analysis and insightful commentary.
• Drive continuous improvement across financial and business processes.
• Conduct month-end reconciliations for raw materials and WIP; monitor ERP data integrity and resolve discrepancies.
• Analyse purchase price and material usage variances; prepare related reports for internal stakeholders and the EMEA Finance team.
• Support accurate forecasting of operational variances, including purchase price and material usage.
• Review and investigate manufacturing stock movements and related variances.
• Analyse and report variances against targets, budgets, and forecasts.
• Maintain item Total Product Cost (TPC) and perform annual updates to standard costs.
• Raise and reconcile intercompany material invoices and complete relevant balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare item quotations and run costing scenarios.
• Provide ad hoc support to the Senior Finance Business Partner and other stakeholders, including audit preparation and project support.

Ideal Experience:

• Qualified or actively studying towards CIMA or ACCA or equivalent.
• Proven experience in a costing role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience with HFM and ODBC is desirable.

Required Skills:

• Strong analytical and complex problem-solving capabilities.
• Full understanding of internal controls and statutory financial regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage across all levels of the business.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel; capable of producing advanced spreadsheets.
• Solid working knowledge of ERP and manufacturing systems.

This role is a chance to make a significant impact within a leading global corporation, offering a platform for professional growth and development.