Division Accounting Manager - Cost Accounting Operations
Location: Nebraska
Position Overview
A global manufacturing organization is seeking a Division Accounting Manager to lead cost accounting and operational finance activities for a large, multi-site manufacturing business. Reporting directly to the Division Controller, this role will serve as a critical business partner to manufacturing and operations leadership, supporting financial planning, cost management, inventory controls, operational performance analysis, and strategic decision-making.
This position offers significant visibility across the organization and is ideal for a finance leader who enjoys working closely with operations while driving financial performance, process improvements, and long-term business growth.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance
- Lead all aspects of cost accounting for a complex manufacturing environment.
- Oversee standard costing, annual cost roll processes, burden allocations, and overhead rate calculations.
- Maintain bill of materials (BOM) and routing integrity to ensure accurate product costing.
- Analyze manufacturing variances, including labor efficiency, material usage, purchase price variances, and overhead absorption.
- Partner with operations leadership to identify drivers of financial performance and implement corrective actions.
Inventory Accounting & Controls
- Manage inventory accounting processes, including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
- Oversee physical inventory programs, cycle counts, inventory reconciliations, and reporting.
- Monitor inventory reserves, slow-moving inventory, and inventory turnover metrics.
- Ensure strong internal controls surrounding inventory and manufacturing accounting activities.
Planning, Forecasting & Financial Analysis
- Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning activities.
- Provide operational and financial analysis to support strategic decision-making.
- Develop driver-based models and scenario analyses to support business initiatives.
- Partner with leadership on profitability analysis, productivity initiatives, and cost reduction efforts.
- Assist with capital investment evaluations and return-on-investment analysis.
Operations Business Partnership
- Act as a key finance partner to plant and operations leadership teams.
- Translate operational activities into financial impact and actionable recommendations.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency projects.
- Participate in cross-functional initiatives involving production, supply chain, engineering, procurement, and leadership teams.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Utilize ERP and reporting systems to enhance visibility into financial and operational performance.
- Drive improvements in reporting accuracy, automation, and process efficiency.
- Support finance transformation initiatives and process standardization efforts.
- Promote data integrity and best practices across finance and operational reporting.
Leadership & Team Development
- Supervise and develop finance and accounting personnel.
- Establish performance expectations and provide coaching and mentoring.
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build strong relationships across finance, operations, and executive leadership teams.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
- Progressive accounting and finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong cost accounting and inventory accounting expertise.
- Experience with forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and financial planning.
- Knowledge of manufacturing operations, standard costing, and operational finance.
- Experience leading or mentoring accounting and finance professionals.
- Strong analytical, communication, and business partnering skills.
- ERP experience required.
Preferred Background
- Manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting large-scale production environments.
- Exposure to inventory-intensive operations and multi-site manufacturing organizations.
- Proven ability to partner with operations leaders and influence business decisions.
- Interest in long-term leadership growth opportunities.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary.
- Annual performance bonus opportunity.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- 20 days of PTO.
- Full relocation assistance available, including moving and relocation-related support.
- Strong internal advancement opportunities and long-term career growth potential.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This role offers the opportunity to become a key financial leader within a large manufacturing operation generating hundreds of millions in annual revenue. The position combines hands-on cost accounting expertise with strategic business partnership responsibilities, giving the right individual exposure to both operational and executive leadership. For candidates interested in manufacturing finance leadership and future Controller-level opportunities, this position provides a highly visible platform for long-term career progression.