Cost Accounting Manager

Title: Cost Accounting Manager
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Winchester, Virginia
FLSA: Exempt

About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.

Role Summary:
The Cost Accounting Manager is responsible for analyzing, tracking, and reporting manufacturing and operational costs to support informed business decision-making. This role partners closely with operations, supply chain, engineering, and finance leadership to maintain cost integrity, drive margin improvement, and ensure accurate inventory valuation across the organization. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with a collaborative approach, exceptional analytical skills, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Maintain and update standard cost models, including materials, labor, and overhead rates.
• Perform variance analysis (purchase price, labor efficiency, and overhead absorption) and communicate findings and recommendations to management.
• Own the accounting impact of manufacturing processes and provide guidance on operational decisions affecting financial reporting, inventory valuation, and cost accounting.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance cost accuracy, reporting efficiency, and internal controls.
• Monitor and reconcile inventory accounts, including raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries, accruals, and cost of goods sold (COGS) reconciliations.
• Analyze product profitability, cost trends, and operational efficiency metrics to support strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams on new product cost estimates, bill of materials (BOM) reviews, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Prepare cost reports, dashboards, and ad hoc financial analyses for senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of annual budgets and quarterly forecasts related to manufacturing and operational costs.
• Conduct periodic physical inventory counts and cycle counts; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal controls, and company accounting policies.
• Support internal and external audits by providing cost data, analyses, and supporting documentation.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of cost accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, variance analysis, inventory accounting, and inventory reconciliation processes.
• Experience with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and financial data modeling.
• Solid knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across finance, operations, supply chain, and engineering teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information to senior leadership.

Preferred

• Experience with Activity-Based Costing (ABC) or Lean manufacturing environments.
• Background in multi-site or multi-entity manufacturing operations.
• Experience with SOX compliance and internal control frameworks.
• Eligibility to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

Core Competencies

Technical & Analytical

• Standard costing and variance analysis
• Inventory valuation and reconciliation
• GAAP compliance and financial reporting
• ERP systems proficiency and advanced Excel capabilities
• Financial analysis and cost modeling

Business & Interpersonal

• Cross-functional collaboration and partnership
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Continuous improvement and process optimization mindset
• Strong business acumen and decision-support capabilities

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while performing desk-based work.
• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and standard office equipment.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret detailed financial and operational data on screens and printed materials.
• Occasional walking, standing, and travel within manufacturing or operational facilities as needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via video conferencing.
• Occasional ability to move about production or warehouse environments, which may include exposure to manufacturing settings, moderate noise levels, and required personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the site.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10–15 pounds on an occasional basis (e.g., documents, reports, or small equipment).

Benefits Overview:
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.