Cost Accountant - East Lansing Area

Cost Accountant | East Lansing, MI

Salary Range: $71,000 - $105,000 depending on experience

Are you a forward-thinking professional with a passion for analyzing costs and driving financial efficiency? The Pivot Group is committed to fostering meaningful relationships in the manufacturing community. We partner with companies in East Lansing seeking skilled Cost Accountants.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across East Lansing seeking Cost Accountants who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain standard costs for raw materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead.
• Analyze manufacturing variances, production efficiencies, and cost of goods sold.
• Manage inventory valuation, reconciliation, and obsolescence provisions.
• Prepare detailed cost reports, profitability analysis, and ad-hoc financial studies.
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes related to production costs.
• Identify and recommend cost reduction opportunities and process improvements.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts related to inventory, WIP, and COGS.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of progressive cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, cost accounting principles, inventory valuation, and variance analysis.
• Experience with standard costing, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
• CMA or CPA certification (preferred).

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with specific manufacturing ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor).
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Proficiency in advanced data analysis tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, SQL).
• Experience with supply chain costing and optimization.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Cost Accountant, Cost Analyst, Senior Cost Accountant, Manufacturing Cost Accountant, Product Cost Accountant, Cost Accounting Analyst, Management Accountant, Budget Analyst, Profitability Analyst, Cost Control Specialist

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out. The Pivot Group offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.