Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant (Contract-to-Hire)

Northwest Indianapolis, IN

Hybrid Schedule: 4 Days In Office | 1 Remote Day After Training

Our client, a growing manufacturing organization on the northwest side of Indianapolis, is seeking a Cost Accountant for a contract-to-hire opportunity. This position will play a key role in supporting financial operations, analyzing manufacturing costs, maintaining inventory accuracy, and partnering with operations leadership to drive profitability and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will have experience in a manufacturing environment, strong analytical skills, and advanced Excel capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and maintain product costing, inventory valuation, and standard cost structures
• Prepare cost, margin, and profitability reporting to support business decisions
• Monitor project-related spending and provide budget-to-actual analysis
• Evaluate manufacturing performance metrics, including labor, material usage, waste, and operational efficiencies
• Support pricing analysis and customer contract reviews
• Maintain product and production-related master data within the ERP system
• Assist with month-end close, journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting
• Review inventory activity, perform reconciliations, and support cycle counts and periodic physical inventories
• Partner with operational leaders to identify cost reduction opportunities and improve financial performance
• Track capital expenditures and support fixed asset accounting activities
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning initiatives
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and established procedures
• Prepare ad hoc financial analyses and management reports
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support continuous improvement initiatives and operational objectives

Other Responsibilities

• Promote a customer-focused approach across business functions
• Support quality and process improvement initiatives throughout the organization
• Assist in maintaining effective workflows and operational controls to achieve business goals

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Contract-to-hire opportunity with long-term career potential
• Stable and growing manufacturing company
• High visibility role with interaction across accounting and operations
• Opportunity to influence profitability and operational performance
• Hybrid schedule available after training (4 days in office, 1 remote day)

If you are a detail-oriented Cost Accountant who enjoys analyzing data, partnering with operations, and driving business results, we would like to hear from you.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 3+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of standard costing, inventory accounting, and manufacturing processes
• Experience preparing cost, margin, variance, and profitability analyses
• Experience supporting month-end close, budgeting, and forecasting activities
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with operations and leadership teams

Advanced Excel Skills Required

This position involves heavy use of Microsoft Excel, including:

• Creating and analyzing Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts
• Advanced use of VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP functions
• Managing large datasets and complex formulas
• Data analysis, reconciliations, and reporting
• Trend analysis and financial modeling

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with inventory controls, cycle counts, and physical inventories
• Knowledge of capital expenditure tracking and project cost analysis
• Continuous improvement or lean manufacturing experience

Compensation

About Us

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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