Cost Accountant responsibilities and duties

The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and the title of the manager the person will report to.

• Prepare monthly journal entries manually or by initiating electronic creation through our software program
• Review JEs carefully for anomalies and other inconsistencies
• Prepare monthly and quarterly accounting reports for submission to management
• Conduct inventory reserve analysis on a quarterly basis and generate reports for senior management
• Assist the Staff Accountant with suggesting changes to policies or procedures to increase cash flow
• Review rates of depreciation, labor and overhead and suggest policy changes to improve numbers
• Classify costs accurately
• Generate PPV reports and analyze findings
• Establish standard costs and update them as appropriate
• Maintain and review the general ledger and reconcile balance sheets
• Analyze costs of raw materials and other supplies and create cost-benefit analyses for changing vendors

Cost Accountant qualifications and skills

Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you expect from a successful candidate. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field required
• 6+ years’ experience in general accounting or cost accounting
• General familiarity with the apparel industry preferred
• Experience in a manufacturing warehouse or facility a plus