The Role
Manage standard costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variances, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, reconciliations, and internal controls for North American manufacturing operations. Partner with operations, supply chain, procurement, and finance teams to improve profitability and efficiency. Support audits, ERP enhancements, process improvement, automated reporting, and Power BI dashboards while ensuring US GAAP, IFRS, SOX, and company policy compliance.
Summary Generated by Built In
Shape the Future of Manufacturing Execution
Drive profitability. Influence operations. Shape financial performance.
We're seeking a highly analytical and business-minded Senior Cost Accountant to play a critical role in supporting our North American manufacturing operations. In this high-impact position, you'll go beyond the numbers, partnering with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Finance leaders to deliver insights that improve efficiency, strengthen margins, and support strategic decision-making. If you're passionate about cost accounting, manufacturing analytics, and turning financial data into actionable business outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.
Position is located at our corporate headquarters in Plano, TX, with a Hybrid work schedule
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required.
Experience:
Drive profitability. Influence operations. Shape financial performance.
We're seeking a highly analytical and business-minded Senior Cost Accountant to play a critical role in supporting our North American manufacturing operations. In this high-impact position, you'll go beyond the numbers, partnering with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Finance leaders to deliver insights that improve efficiency, strengthen margins, and support strategic decision-making. If you're passionate about cost accounting, manufacturing analytics, and turning financial data into actionable business outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.
Position is located at our corporate headquarters in Plano, TX, with a Hybrid work schedule
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Cost Accounting & Inventory Management- Maintain and administer standard costing processes for products manufactured and distributed across North America.
- Analyze material, labor, overhead, and manufacturing variances and provide actionable recommendations.
- Review and update standard costs during annual cost roll processes and periodic revaluations.
- Ensure accurate inventory valuation and compliance with corporate accounting policies and US GAAP/IFRS requirements.
- Monitor inventory reserves, obsolescence provisions, and slow-moving inventory analysis.
- Support physical inventory counts and cycle count programs across facilities.
- Reconcile inventory sub-ledgers to the general ledger and investigate discrepancies.
- Prepare monthly cost accounting journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
- Analyze gross margin performance by product line, customer, region, and manufacturing site.
- Develop management reports highlighting key operational and financial performance metrics.
- Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities affecting profitability and manufacturing costs.
- Partner with plant management and operations teams to analyze production efficiency and cost drivers.
- Evaluate labor utilization, manufacturing overhead absorption, scrap, yield, and production variances.
- Support capital expenditure analyses and cost-benefit evaluations for operational initiatives.
- Participate in continuous improvement and productivity programs.
- Assist in annual budget preparation and periodic forecasting processes.
- Provide detailed manufacturing cost forecasts and variance explanations.
- Support scenario modeling related to labor, materials, production volume, and inflation impacts.
- Ensure compliance with SOX, internal control requirements, and company policies where applicable.
- Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and analysis.
- Recommend process improvements to strengthen controls and increase efficiency.
- Ensure adherence to accounting standards and regulatory requirements across North America.
- Understanding of US GAAP, financial statements, and accounting theory required, including SOX compliance.
- Leverage ERP systems to improve reporting accuracy and efficiency.
- Support ERP implementations, upgrades, and cost accounting process enhancements.
- Develop automated reporting tools and dashboards utilizing Power BI, Excel, or similar technologies.
- Drive continuous process improvement initiatives within finance and operations
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required.
Experience:
- 5+ years of progressive accounting experience
- 3+ years in cost accounting.
- Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
Certificates & Licenses: CPA, CMA or equivalent professional designation preferred:
Systems and Tools: Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required, including but not limited to Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint. Advanced skills in Excel and Word are required.
Strong knowledge of:
Systems and Tools: Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required, including but not limited to Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint. Advanced skills in Excel and Word are required.
Strong knowledge of:
- Standard costing
- Inventory accounting
- Manufacturing accounting
- Variance analysis
- Financial reporting
- Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, JD Edwards, or similar.
- Demonstrated abilities to prioritize and manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines with efficiency and accuracy.
- Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations, preferred
- Knowledge of both U.S. and Canadian accounting requirements, preferred
- Experience with Power BI, Power Query, or business intelligence tools, preferred.
- Exposure to SOX compliance and internal audit requirements, preferred.
This position requires U.S. Citizenship and is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Why You’ll Love Working at Luminator:
Competitive compensation with career growth potential.
Generous time off: Vacation, Wellness, and Floating days
Educational Assistance Program
Paid Parental Leave
Health and wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Generous 401k match program
Benefits Effective on Day One!
Find out more about us by visiting our Life@Luminator page!
Competitive compensation with career growth potential.
Generous time off: Vacation, Wellness, and Floating days
Educational Assistance Program
Paid Parental Leave
Health and wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Generous 401k match program
Benefits Effective on Day One!
Find out more about us by visiting our Life@Luminator page!
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
- 5+ years of progressive accounting experience
- 3+ years of cost accounting experience
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint
- Advanced skills in Excel and Word
- Knowledge of standard costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing accounting, variance analysis, and financial reporting
- Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, JD Edwards, or similar
- Understanding of US GAAP, financial statements, and accounting theory
- CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional designation
- Experience in a manufacturing environment
- Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations
- Knowledge of US and Canadian accounting requirements
- Experience with Power BI, Power Query, or business intelligence tools
- Exposure to SOX compliance and internal audit requirements
- US citizenship
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The Company
What We Do
Luminator has been an innovator in the design and manufacture of communications and lighting products for more than 90 years. We serve three major transportation sectors: bus, rail, and aerospace. Luminator is the world's largest manufacturer of transportation lighting and destination signs and solutions to improve safety and efficiency. If you travel by public transit bus, passenger train, or commercial, corporate, or military aircraft, chances are you have come in contact with a Luminator product. https://futureoftransit.com/316hyRJ
