Cost Accountant | Traverse City, MI

Salary Range: $66,000 - $99,000 depending on experience

Are you a detail-oriented professional with a passion for analyzing costs and driving financial efficiency? The Pivot Group is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career advancement. We are collaborating with leading companies in Traverse City seeking experienced Cost Accountants.

The Opportunity

We collaborate with manufacturing companies in the Traverse City region seeking Cost Accountants. These employers partner with us because they want real insight into candidates—not just resumes. By joining our network, you gain access to roles worth considering.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain standard costs for materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead.
• Conduct detailed variance analysis between actual and standard costs, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Prepare and analyze manufacturing cost reports, including production costs, inventory valuations, and profitability by product.
• Manage inventory costing and valuation, ensuring accuracy and reconciliation of inventory accounts.
• Support the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes, particularly for cost of goods sold and manufacturing expenses.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities and process improvements within manufacturing operations.
• Perform product profitability analysis to support pricing decisions and strategic planning.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of progressive experience in cost accounting, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Deep understanding of cost accounting principles, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial data, identify trends, and recommend cost-saving opportunities.

Bonus Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including VBA for automation and complex modeling
• Experience with major ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics)
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma principles
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

Job Titles That Should Apply

Cost Accountant, Cost Analyst, Management Accountant, Senior Cost Accountant, Financial Analyst, Product Cost Accountant, Manufacturing Cost Accountant, Cost Accounting Specialist, Budget Analyst

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group 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.

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. The Pivot Group 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.