Cost Accountant
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (hybrid working – onsite Mon-Wed)
Role Overview
The Cost Accountant will provide accurate, timely financial reporting and analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making within a manufacturing environment. The role supports cost control, forecasting, and performance insight across production operations.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Financial Controller, responsibilities include:
Reporting & Analysis
* Prepare monthly management reports, including margin and performance analysis
* Produce monthly P&Ls for two key business units
* Support the month-end close process
* Produce rolling forecasts, with a focus on production costs
* Deliver weekly efficiency reporting across production operations
* Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights
Cost Accounting
* Perform variance analysis (material, labour, overhead), identifying key drivers
* Review cost absorption and overhead allocation
* Support the standard costing process
* Participate in stock obsolescence reviews and related analysis
* Partner with operations to improve cost efficiency and reduce waste
Planning & Forecasting
* Support budgeting and forecasting processes
* Monitor actual vs budget and highlight key variances
Business Partnering
* Work cross-functionally to support data-driven decision making
* Collaborate with procurement to track cost savings
* Provide ad hoc financial analysis
* Controls & Process Improvement
* Support audit and year-end requirementsIdentify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and systems
* Contribute to cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives
Skills & Experience
Essential
* Part‑or fully qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA – CIMA preferred) or qualified by experience
* Experience in a manufacturing or production environment
* Strong Excel and data analysis skills
* Experience with ERP systems
* Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage non-finance stakeholders
* Understanding of standard costing
Desirable
* PowerBI / Power Query experience
Personal Attributes
* Analytical with strong attention to detail
* Commercial and operationally focused
* Proactive with a questioning mindset
* Strong stakeholder engagement skills
* Able to work independently in a fast‑paced environment
Benefits
You will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days’ paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts’ portal. We also offer a range of additional support and benefits through our Everyone is Included Group Inclusion Plan, detailed below.
We are also a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like to apply using this scheme, please select this option in our application form or notify our recruitment partners.
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