Cost Accountant | Kentwood, MI

Salary Range: $67,000 - $101,000 depending on experience

Are you a skilled professional with a passion for analyzing costs and driving financial efficiency? The Pivot Group Network, a West Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is dedicated to building meaningful connections in the manufacturing community. We are collaborating with companies in Kentwood seeking experienced Cost Accountants.

We are building our network of talent in this field across West Michigan and the broader manufacturing region Pivot Group Network serves. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across Kentwood seeking Cost Accountants who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain standard product costs.
• Analyze manufacturing variances (material, labor, overhead) and report on root causes.
• Prepare detailed cost forecasts and budgets for production.
• Conduct make-or-buy analyses and provide recommendations.
• Support inventory valuation and reconcile physical counts to the general ledger.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities and track savings initiatives.
• Participate in new product costing and pricing strategies.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3+ years of cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation methods.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with ERP system implementation or optimization
• Advanced Excel modeling skills (e.g., VBA, Power Query, Power Pivot)
• Certification in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

Job Titles That Should Apply

Cost Accountant, Cost Analyst, Financial Analyst - Costing, Senior Cost Accountant, Manager of Cost Accounting, Cost Controller, Product Cost Accountant, Manufacturing Cost Accountant, Inventory Cost Accountant

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out at https://www.thepivotgroup.org. The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.