Job Summary:

The Cost Accountant is responsible for the preparation of financial reporting within Wakefield. The responsibility includes the preparation and analysis of standard costs, management of all data collection processes, reconciliation of variances, resolution of issues identified within specific accounts, balance sheet analysis and financial statement preparation.

Key Accountabilities:

Cost Accounting:

• Maintain and oversee the preparation of all standard cost build-up (materials, labour, freight, duties, royalties, etc.).

• Perform variances to standard analysis and partner with manufacturing operations to gather insight on root causes.

• Support commercial bids with cost data and forecasts.

• Work with Supply Chain to analyze inbound transportation, duties and manufacturing operations.

• Identify opportunities to enhance inventory vendor relationship’s through process improvements and commercial negotiations.

• Oversee an effectively monthly inventory cut-off.

• Support periodic inventory/cycle counts

• Prepare standard cost updates.

• Support product launches with the decision making on “make vs. buy”.

General Accounting:

• Perform month end close and journal entry preparation.

• Prepare and maintain balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring assigned assets and liabilities are fairly stated.

• Proactively identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and business enhancements though analysis and other business insights.

• Proactively coordinate assigned aspects of financial reporting, developing a sound understanding overall business operations, underlying areas of GAAP and budget assumptions, ensuring results are fairly stated and can be clearly explained.

• Responsible for development of efficient, effective processes and supporting systems to capture and report on assigned Wakefield financial information.

• Prepare variance analysis (actual vs. budget and actual vs. forecast) and coordinate investigation and resolution into discrepancies with appropriate department managers.

• Develop and deliver accurate and timely internal financial and performance reports based on business requirements to support effective departmental management and ensure responsible fiscal management.

• Develop and deliver external financial reports based on external stakeholder requirements (government, bank, other stakeholders, etc.).

• Actively partner with business units to understand reporting requirements and ongoing business activities, insight used to adjust financial reporting/analysis to meet changing business needs, while ensuring the optimal accounting for each business activity

• Proactively identify trends and challenges before they occur, recommending solutions and then implementing them.

• Build and maintain trust-based external stakeholder relations

Key Competencies:

• Subject matter expert in all aspects of assigned accountabilities, ability to synthesize a detailed understanding of the issues/results into a concise message for management.

• Strong multi-tasking and prioritizing abilities to meet time sensitive deadlines and fluctuating work demands.

• Ability to anticipate problems and proactively resolve situations before they become larger scale issues.

• Superior written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate complex concepts or information.

• Detail oriented and display a high degree of accuracy.

• Professional attitude together with a drive to get things done through collaboration and team work.

• Flexible and able to make independent decisions quickly.

• High aptitude for learning new concepts and staying current in an ever changing environment.

• Ability to understand business operations and demonstrate value through partnerships within the organization.

Direct Managerial / Supervisory Responsibility

• N/A

Education / Experience:

• College Diploma or University Degree in Business Administration, Commerce or a related discipline with an accounting designation or designation in progress (CA, CMA, CGA, CPA).

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience preferred in both costing and general accounting.

• Manufacturing industry experience preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Office environment.