Brighton
Cost Accountant Location: Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 4EL Salary: Competitive, DOE Contract: Full-time, Permanent Benefits: Competitive salary, Private medical insurance, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, Salary sacrifice pension scheme, Life assurance, State-of-the-art working environment and the Opportunity to shape and influence business growth! Join VACGEN and Help Drive Financial Excellence in a World-Leading Manufacturing Environment VACGEN is a leading specialist in ultra-high vacuum technology, supplying innovative solutions to customers worldwide. We are seeking a motivated and analytical Cost Accountant to join our Finance team in Lower Dicker, East Sussex. Reporting directly to the Financial Manager, you will play a key role in delivering accurate product costing, inventory valuation, margin analysis, and financial reporting to support strategic business decisions and operational performance. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with experience in manufacturing who is looking to further develop their career within a dynamic and growing organisation. As our Cost Accountant you will: • Perform quarterly cost roll-ups and Bill of Materials (BOM) reviews., • Analyse manufacturing variances, including material, labour and overhead costs., • Monitor inventory valuation and reconcile inventory accounts., • Coordinate and support inventory counts, cycle counts and stocktakes., • Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies., • Prepare product and customer profitability analysis., • Complete month-end journals relating to inventory and cost of sales, including: Obsolescence accruals, Labour and overhead reallocations and Absorption adjustments, • Produce daily and weekly labour efficiency reports., • Prepare balance sheet reconciliations., • Maintain the fixed asset register and process monthly depreciation., • Prepare monthly board reporting on inventory ageing and inventory segmentation., • Maintain and improve costing systems and ERP modules, including Microsoft Dynamics AX., • Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial and cost data., • Develop reporting tools using Excel and Business Intelligence platforms., • Support system enhancements, upgrades and automation initiatives., • Drive continuous improvement and standardisation across finance processes., • Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards including IFRS and UK GAAP., • Maintain robust internal controls relating to inventory and costing., • Support year-end audit requirements and costing-related enquiries., • Document procedures and ensure adherence to company policies. In order to be successful in this role you must have: • 1-2 years' experience in Cost Accounting or Management Accounting., • Strong understanding of manufacturing or operational business environments., • Experience using ERP systems such as Dynamics AX, SAP, Oracle or similar., • Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, modelling and data analysis., • Strong knowledge of standard costing and absorption costing methodologies., • Excellent analytical, problem-solving and reporting skills., • Experience interpreting and presenting financial data for decision-making., • Knowledge of lean manufacturing or process improvement methodologies. It would be great if you had: • Experience using Sage Payroll and Sage HR., • Previous experience with Microsoft Dynamics AX., • Professionally qualified or part-qualified (CIMA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent). Why Join VACGEN At VACGEN, you'll become part of a highly skilled team supporting advanced manufacturing and engineering solutions used around the world. You'll have the opportunity to influence business performance, improve processes, and develop your career within a supportive and innovative environment. Apply today and take the next step in your finance career with VACGEN. JBRP1_UKTJ