Cost Analyst POST NUMBER: 467376
Position Overview
The Cost Analyst is responsible for analyzing product, service, or departmental costs to support pricing, budgeting, and strategic decision-making. This role requires strong analytical and accounting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate insights effectively to both finance and operational teams.
Key Responsibilities
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Analyze and monitor costs for products, services, or operational activities, identifying trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement
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Prepare standard and custom cost reports, including variance analysis against budgets and forecasts
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Collaborate with operations, procurement, and production teams to track direct and indirect costs
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Assist in budgeting, forecasting, and monthly financial reporting with a focus on cost accuracy
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Support inventory costing, including standard costing, FIFO/LIFO, and adjustments for scrap, obsolescence, or overhead
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Partner with cross-functional teams to improve costing processes, controls, and reporting tools
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Conduct ad hoc financial analysis to support management decisions, pricing strategies, and capital investments
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Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal accounting policies
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
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2–5 years of experience in cost accounting, financial analysis, or manufacturing/operations finance
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Strong knowledge of GAAP, cost accounting principles, and inventory valuation methods
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Advanced Excel skills; experience with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or JD Edwards) preferred
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
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Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
Preferred Experience
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Experience in manufacturing, healthcare, distribution, or service industries
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Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement processes
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Public accounting experience with cost analysis exposure is a plus
Why This Role
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Key role in supporting strategic business decisions through cost insights
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Opportunity to collaborate with finance, operations, and leadership teams
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Potential growth path into Senior Cost Analyst, Finance Manager, or Controller roles
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
Privacy Notice
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.