Cost Accountant

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.
* 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.
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.
* 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