Cost Accountant I/II

Job Title: Cost Accountant I/II (Level will be determined based on qualifications and experience) 

Reports to: Corporate Controller

Location: At our office in Antigo, WI; Wausau, WI; or Idaho Falls, ID (if located in Wausau, must travel to Antigo one day a week) 

Salary: Cost Accountant I: $53,081.60-$63,689.60 based on experience 

 Cost Accountant II: $60,756.80-$75,904.00 based on experience

Job Summary

The Cost Accountant supports accurate product costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing reporting, and operational financial performance. The position partners with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Plant Leadership to improve cost visibility, inventory integrity, and decision support while developing the technical judgment needed for broader ownership at the next career stage.

• Level I: Serves as a foundational team member maintaining cost-accounting data, reviewing inventory activity, supporting period-end close, and analyzing manufacturing variances under the guidance of experienced finance leaders.
• Level II: Acts as an advanced manufacturing-finance professional owning core cost-accounting processes, leading annual cost rolls, interpreting complex variances, strengthening inventory controls, and partnering directly with plant and executive leadership to improve margin, capacity, productivity, and working capital.

Essential Duties (Level I & II)

• Develop, maintain, and review standard product costs, bills of materials, routings, labor rates, and manufacturing-overhead allocations in the ERP system.
• Monitor inventory transactions, production activity, cycle counts, and physical inventory results; research discrepancies and support timely corrections.
• Prepare inventory and manufacturing-cost journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, schedules, and supporting workpapers for month-end and year-end close.
• Analyze material usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption, purchase-price, scrap, production, and inventory-adjustment variances; summarize causes and emerging trends.
• Support inventory valuation, reserve, aging, excess-and-obsolete, and working-capital analyses in accordance with company policy and GAAP.
• Assist with annual standard-cost updates and cost rolls by gathering inputs, validating cost components, testing results, and documenting changes.
• Prepare recurring manufacturing-cost, inventory, margin, and operational reports using established definitions and review procedures.
• Investigate cost drivers and support budgets, forecasts, pricing analyses, capital analyses, and other business decisions with accurate financial information.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Plant Leadership to improve cost visibility, inventory integrity, and manufacturing performance.
• Support internal controls, financial-statement preparation, audit requests, and compliance with company policies and GAAP.
• Assist with continuous-improvement initiatives, ERP enhancements, data validation, and reporting improvements related to product costing and inventory.
• Perform ad hoc cost and manufacturing analysis and special projects as assigned

Advanced Duties (Level II)

• Own standard-cost methodology and lead annual cost rolls across cross-functional teams.
• Analyze complex yield, throughput, utilization, and productivity variances; lead profitability analysis by product, customer, business segment, manufacturing cell, or facility to support pricing and product-mix decisions.
• Develop financial models for new products, engineering changes, make-vs.-buy decisions, capital investments, automation, and capacity planning.
• Lead assumptions and manufacturing drivers for annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, rolling forecasts, and long-range plans.
• Present results, cost trends, and scorecards to executive leadership, provide technical guidance/training to junior team members, and lead cross-functional workstreams.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of GAAP and the ability to apply established accounting policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and maintain standard costs, bills of materials, routings, labor rates, and overhead allocations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to research transactions, identify variances, and summarize findings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, lookup functions, formulas, and data analysis.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage recurring deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, consistency, and data integrity.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain financial information to financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently within established procedures while collaborating effectively across departments and locations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline and/or equivalent work experience. 
• Level I:
  • One or more years of experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, general accounting, manufacturing finance, or a related role preferred.
  • Experience supporting month-end close, journal entries, account reconciliations, inventory reporting, or variance analysis preferred.
  • Foundational knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, manufacturing operations, financial statements, and internal controls.
  • Experience with ERP systems (preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365, SyteLine, or similar).
• Level II:
  • Five of more years of progressive accounting, cost accounting, manufacturing finance, or related experience preferred.
  • Advanced knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting, standard costing, inventory accounting, absorption costing, variance analysis, and internal controls.
  • Proven experience leading annual cost rolls, period-end close, budgeting, forecasting, and operational reporting in a manufacturing environment.
  • Experience developing financial models and utilizing business intelligence tools (Power BI or similar preferred).
  • Experience leading ERP, reporting, automation, or process-improvement initiatives.
  • CPA, CMA, or active progress toward professional certification is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Consistent walking, talking, hearing, sitting, standing, typing, repetitive motions, movements requiring fine motor skills, and visual acuity.
• Occasional carrying, reaching, handling, grasping, climbing, pushing, pulling, kneeling, crawling, balancing, and stooping.
• Work is typically performed in an office environment, though certain tasks or projects may occur in a manufacturing environment.
• Safety glasses, steel/composite-toed shoes, hearing protection, and other required personal protective equipment must be worn when working in a manufacturing environment.

Company Culture & Values

• A Commitment to Our Purpose (COMMITTED PEOPLE) – Our mission is to serve and build up our customers, suppliers, communities, and each other, guided by the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The commitment to serving and building up is easily seen in those employees that exemplify this value.
• Without Our Customers We Are Nothing (CUSTOMER FIRST) – We realize that we are blessed to serve our customers and without them, our company does not exist. They rely on us for their success and that is a responsibility we cannot take lightly. Our focus must be on serving them with as seamless communication and access to products as possible.
• Kind, Humble and Positive (HUMBLE) – These positive traits do not mean being a doormat to others. But when a person is kind, humble and positive it comes through in their genuine caring for those around them.
• A Desire For “Expert” (EXPERTS) – Our people want to be seen as the experts in their specific roles. From how we convert a bag efficiently and with highest quality, to knowledge of the product portfolio, to desiring to know more about tax or human resource policy – the desire for “expert” drives us in each of our roles.
• Intentional Growth – Developing of Self and Others (PERSONAL GROWTH)– Times, tools, and customer expectations change. Our team members are interested in developing themselves and those around them. We know that a stronger team is one that makes our customers and our fellow employees happier.
• Strong Work Ethic (HARD WORKERS) – The commitment to serve those around us is honorable and we respond to this by putting our strongest effort into that purpose.
• High Expectations of Self and Others (HIGH EXPECTATIONS) – We expect ourselves, and those around us, to put in our best effort. When others struggle, we help them align towards perfection. When we struggle, we are open and humble to hear it and course-correct accordingly.
• If It Isn’t Safe, We Don’t Do It (SAFETY) – All people deserve to return home to their loved ones safely and work in an environment where they can best execute their tasks safely. When choosing between safety and profit, safety and efficiency, safety and feelings, safety, and “x” – we choose safety.

Travel Requirements 

This position requires occasional overnight travel and occasional travel within the workday for training, audits, inventory observations, business meetings, support of company locations, or participation in strategic initiatives. 

Driver Qualification

The ability to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle on behalf of the company may be required. Inclusion in the company’s driver qualification program is required to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle. 

Becoming a qualified driver includes:

• Agree to the company driving policies that apply to company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle as applicable.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver license and be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record, as evidenced by completion of a baseline motor vehicle record check and ongoing monitoring.
• When driving a personal vehicle on behalf of the company, must provide a copy of the declaration page from personal auto insurance that shows the policy dates and minimum coverage amounts ($300,000 bodily injury per accident/$100,000 property damage per accident or if driving less than 5 hours/200 miles a year $50,000 bodily injury per accident/$10,000 property damage per accident or the state minimum, whichever is more). This requirement is initially and then annually thereafter.

This job description is intended as a general outline of the primary responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove any responsibilities, duties, or activities as deemed necessary with or without notice. 

Volm Companies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and other protected characteristics. If you require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, please inform us and we will work with you to address your needs.