Cost Accountant

Murray Recruitment are recruiting a Cost Accountant for our client based in Livingston. This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established manufacturing organisation, supporting the finance team in delivering high-quality financial reporting, cost analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Overview

The Cost Accountant will play a key role in supporting the Assistant Financial Controller and the wider finance team. This position focuses on maintaining and improving the cost accounting function, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and driving efficiencies across the business. The role involves working closely with operations and senior management to provide timely cost insights, inventory control support, and performance analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the cost accounting function, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Support financial decision-making by providing costing information to assist with product pricing.
• Ensure compliance with accounting principles and internal controls, identifying potential risks and implementing corrective actions.
• Prepare and analyse Material Usage and Purchase Price Variances.
• Produce and communicate Variable Cost reports to Operations and Senior Management.
• Perform Balance Sheet reconciliations and process Journal Vouchers.
• Support inventory management processes, ensuring robust controls and conducting internal audits.
• Assist in maintaining and improving financial reporting systems to track performance against targets.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety policies, quality standards, and company procedures.

Skills & Experience Required

• Part-qualified CIMA/ACCA or a relevant degree/professional qualification in accountancy.
• Previous experience in an accountancy function within a manufacturing environment is advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Advanced Excel skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, using initiative to drive improvements.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments.

Offering

• Salary DOE
• Hours are 37.5 per week on site, Monday to Thursday 8am to 4:15pm and Friday 8am to 3pm.
• 33 days' holiday per year.
• Fidelity Salary Exchange Scheme – minimum 5% employee contribution with employer matching up to 10%.
• Death in Service benefit – x3 salary.
• Annual discretionary bonus, paid quarterly based on performance targets.
• Free electric vehicle charging points on-site.