Sr. Cost Accountant
Elwood, IL, US, 60421
Job Description
Stepan Company’s Millsdale Plant (Elwood, IL; Joliet area) has a job opening for a Sr. Cost Accountant. This position reports to the Millsdale Sr. Finance Manager and is responsible for overseeing inventory integrity & controls at the site and ensuring the accuracy of our standard costs. Working closely with Operations, this position will lead inventory cycle counting and production variance reporting (material, OH, shrink, & scrap), as well as champion corrective actions and recommend process changes. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills will be utilized daily.
Responsibilities include:
OVERSEE INVENTORY INTEGRITY AND CONTROLS
- Partner with Operations to maintain accurate inventory balances.
- Perform monthly cycle counts, investigate variances, and post adjustments.
- Ensure effective controls, inventory reporting, and production order close-out.
- Report on area production variances (material, shrink, & scrap), investigate root causes, and develop corrective actions.
ENSURE PROPER PRODUCT COSTING
- Perform bill of material and overhead standard cost reviews to ensure product standard cost accuracy; Recommend updates, as necessary.
- Review the monthly cost explosion for reasonableness and manage exceptions.
- Analyze plant absorption and identify necessary corrections.
ACCOUNTING REPORTING
- Prepare closing journal entries including accruals, reclasses for cost accounting & other reporting purposes, and corrections.
- Review and analyze monthly expenses to ensure alignment with expectations.
VALUE CREATION / PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
- Be an active leader in bringing value through continual improvement to the organization as it pertains to inventory and expense reporting processes.
- Work as a site change agent to streamline and improve processes in cooperation with plant staff.
Qualifications
- 3-5 years of Cost Accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
- Cost management experience
- SAP experience preferred
- Highly focused on problem identification and solving; Takes a critical look at issues and challenges and engages in proactive problem solving; Utilizes facts and innovation to build reasoned arguments and leverages innovative thinking to promote decisions
- Ability to own complex processes and deliverables and work with minimal supervision
- High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting; Advanced certification (CPA/CMA) a plus
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Stepan Company does not accept or retain unsolicited resumes or phone calls and/or respond to them or to any third party representing job seekers.
Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 22 global manufacturing locations and over 2,500 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members. We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives. Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment.
We celebrate diversity at Stepan and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago