Cost Accounting Manager, CHAOS Industries

• It’s for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, reconciling inventory, tightening cost controls, working directly with operations, and building processes that will scale with the company
• If you like building strong foundations and seeing the immediate impact of your work, this role delivers!
• 5+ years of progressive experience in cost accounting, preferably within a manufacturing, production, or R&D-driven environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and the financial processes that support production environments
• Working knowledge of supply chain operations, including procurement, receiving, inventory flow, production processes, and core manufacturing principles
• Demonstrated ability to analyze detailed transactional data within an ERP system and translate findings into clear, actionable insights for leadership
• Solid understanding of financial systems as they relate to manufacturing, distribution, and inventory management
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect operational activity to financial outcomes
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail, particularly in high-volume environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams
• Proven project management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize competing deadlines
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment while managing tight timelines and evolving processes

Desirable

• At CHAOS Industries, building cutting edge defense systems starts with getting the fundamentals right
• Especially in manufacturing finance
• We’re looking for a hands on Cost Accounting Manager who thrives in the details
• This role is deeply embedded in the day to day mechanics of how product costs flow through our systems
• You’ll be instrumental in building, refining, and executing the transactional backbone that supports our production ramp
• The Cost Accounting Manager works under the supervision of the Controller and requires strong interpersonal communication skills both written and verbal
• You’ll collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, FP&A, and Accounting to ensure our financial data reflects operational reality
• Be a big part of manufacturing cost accounting activities, including standard costing, costing projects, month-end close, labor and overhead absorption, inventory management, and freight and duty tracking
• Be a part of the team managing high-volume, day-to-day cost accounting across materials, labor, overhead, WIP, and finished goods
• Execute, maintain, and continuously improve standard costing processes within a dynamic production environment
• Perform comprehensive variance analysis (including margin, purchase price, invoice to PO, work order, cost revaluation, material usage, and system variances), identify root causes, and partner cross-functionally to implement corrective actions
• Analyze trends in cost variances, production volumes, and material usage; recommend and drive operational and profitability improvements, particularly related to labor and overhead burden
• Prepare inventory related journal entries, account reconciliations, and maintain alignment between inventory subledger and general ledger during month end close
• Troubleshoot and research unexplained inventory transactions to ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data
• Ensure ERP system accuracy and integrity through analysis, internal audit collaboration, inventory control coordination, and ownership of process enhancements as systems scale
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Production, Inventory Control, and FP&A to validate Bills of Materials (BOMs), routings, cost inputs, and understand cost drivers impacting financial performance
• Collaborate with FP&A to develop cost models supporting forecasting, forward-looking plans, and strategic decision-making
• Support and coordinate physical inventory counts and cycle count programs
• Build scalable processes from the ground up, document and refine transactional workflows, and lead change management initiatives to support growth
• Prepare routine and ad hoc accounting schedules for internal and external reporting requirements and support audit requests as needed
• Establish strong cross functional relationships to develop deep understanding of operational processes, business drivers, costs, and revenue streams