Cost Accountant

Summary:

The Cost Accountant main function is to provide accounting, analytical and budgeting support for the Product Configuration & Costing Team, particularly focusing on standard costs. He/She will support month end account reconciliations, SOX testing, miscellaneous support functions.

The Cost Accountant will participate in the control and movement of timely Plan and Outlook information and participate in review and analysis of Plan and Outlook submissions from Supply Chain FP&A Team. He/She will also assist with numerous special reports and requests as defined on an ongoing basis.

On an on-going basis, the Cost Accountant is expected to perform based on the key result area of the process, meet/ exceed metrics set based on the Key Performance Indicator, identify improvements, and execute related controls in-scope.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Product Costing

• After material master, Bill of Materials, and routings are complete, review for accuracy and completeness.
• Determine the accurate cost, compare to Gate 3 costing expectations/margins, send applicable notifications if significantly different, and send to plants for approval.
• Mark & Release new items.

Account Routing / Additive Creation & Maintenance

• Responsible for the comprehensive timely preparation and certification of accounts using Hershey system, i.e. Blackline System.
• Review and reconcile the balance sheet accounts with reference to the Balance Sheet Policy.
• Identify issues, coordinating with the account owners, analyzing the root causes, and determining the next steps that will lead to the resolution of those issues.
• Is expected to work closely with internal Business Partners and provide support and analyses to address their accounting-related concerns.

Bill of Materials Maintenance

• Analyze discrepancies associated with scheduled cost runs.
• Explain standard costing errors and differences throughout the month and provide necessary written explanation for quantitative impact to the P&L generated from standards changes.
• Participate in Supply Chain planning process for standard costing.
• Assist in efforts to improve efficiency and accuracy of standard costing.
• Work with global teams to ensure standard costing is accurate and troubleshoot issues.
• Participate in annual standards review process where usages and scrap factors are reviewed.

Special Projects / Requests

• Assist with analyzing of standards change and processing standards changes.
• Troubleshooting issues with collective orders, routings, or BOMs.
• Adding new lines for changes to production, packaging flow thru errors, etc.

Key Performance Indicator/ Metrics/ Service Level Agreement and

Process Improvement

• It is the responsibility of the Cost Accountant to ensure that KPIs and SLAs are met or exceeded.
• Ensure that preventive and necessary actions are in place, in case metrics are not met.
• Responsible in driving major work process changes that would significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the process, which can either be quick wins or projects.

Adhoc/ other Tasks:

Others related ad hoc roles that may be assigned with alignment with the Cost Accountant.

Countries Supported: USA

Knowledge:

• BS Accountancy
• Proficient understanding of US GAAP and local GAAP
• Knowledge and experienced application of manufacturing cost standards
• Plant operational experience
• Basic knowledge of SAP
• Strong Computer/Data Base Knowledge (Alteryx, Business Warehouse and Microsoft Office Package preferred

Soft Skills:

• Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills
• Good Interpersonal Communication Skills,
• Collaboration Skills
• Attention to Details
• Ability to plan, organize and seek change
• Strong Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
• Works with minimum supervision
• Proactive
• Project Management Skills and ability to prioritize
• Continuous Improvement mindset

Behavior/ Attitude:

Customer Focused and Results Oriented

Understands issues from the customers’ perspective; considers the impact of decisions, processes, services on the customer; demonstrates passion for providing excellent customer service; treats customers with respect and care and uses a variety of approaches to identify customer needs; conveys a sense of urgency to get things done; ensures that there are necessary resources available for resolution of escalated customer issues; monitors the quality resolution of customer issues.

Problem Solving

Detailed oriented; uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; effectively researches and probes all sources for answers; can see/recognize hidden problems and look beyond the obvious.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education: Must be a graduate of BS in Accounting

Experience:

• Candidates MUST have at least 3 years’ direct experience in Cost Accounting.
• Candidates MUST have experience managing raw materials.
• Candidates MUST have excellent verbal and written English communication skills
• Candidates MUST be open to a shifting mid and night work schedule (1 week every month night shift). Mid Shift (3pm – 12MN) & Night Shift (8pm – 5am)
• Candidates from Consumer Goods, Consumer Electronics, and Pharmaceutical companies are HIGHLY PREFERRED