Cost Accountant - St. Johns Area

Cost Accountant | St. Johns, MI

Salary Range: $66,000 - $99,000 depending on experience

Are you a skilled professional with a passion for analyzing costs and driving financial efficiency? The Pivot Group is dedicated to building meaningful connections in the manufacturing community. We are collaborating with companies in St. Johns seeking experienced Cost Accountants.

The Opportunity

We are working with companies in St. Johns that are adding Cost Accountants to their teams. These organizations value quality over speed in hiring. By connecting with us, you position yourself for opportunities that align with what you're looking for.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead.
• Analyze manufacturing variances (price, usage, labor, overhead) and provide detailed explanations.
• Manage and reconcile inventory valuation, including work-in-process and finished goods.
• Prepare detailed cost reports and profitability analysis for products and production lines.
• Assist in the annual budgeting process and periodic forecasting of manufacturing costs.
• Identify and recommend cost reduction opportunities and process improvements.
• Support month-end close activities related to COGS, inventory, and expense accruals.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 3-5 years of cost accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting principles, standard costing, and variance analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial data and provide actionable insights.

Bonus Qualifications

• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles or other process improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency with business intelligence (BI) tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation or actively pursuing.
• Experience with advanced data modeling in Excel, SQL, or other data analysis tools.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Cost Analyst, Management Accountant, Manufacturing Cost Accountant, Project Cost Accountant, Senior Cost Accountant, Product Cost Accountant, Inventory Cost Accountant, Profitability Analyst, Costing 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.