Principal Cost Accountant
Are you naturally curious? So are we at MKS. Our collective curiosity drives us to be an innovation leader in many industries. Our products drive technology advancements across a wide range of applications such as 5G, augmented/virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, clean drinking water and space exploration. We are a team of collaborators who value fresh thinking and believe in mutual respect, constructive candor, diversity and inclusion. As a valued and trusted partner to our customers, we are continually pushing the boundaries of possibility. We believe in creating technology that transforms our world and are looking for like-minded individuals to join our team. If this is appealing to you, we want to meet you.
We are seeking an exceptional Principal Cost Accountant to support multiple manufacturing sites & distribution centers across the PSD European operations. This role involves collecting data, allocating costs, and preparing reports on labor, equipment, depreciation, assembly, and other operating expenses. You will also prepare journal entries, maintain and reconcile ledger accounts, and prepare financial statements and variance reports. Additionally, you may conduct analyses and prepare special reports for management.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and participate in month-end close activities and variance analysis, including monthly Purchase Price Variance analysis and related capitalization and amortization entries for multiple factories.
Prepare and publish weekly and monthly operations reports covering inventory, labor hours earned, and various manufacturing costs (e.g., scrap, manufacturing variances, warranty).
Perform new part costing and item setups as required. Conduct periodic standard cost resetting for purchased parts, labor, overhead costs, and BOM revisions in accordance with corporate policies and procedures.
Execute inventory analyses and reserve policies, including excess and obsolescence, MRB, and aged-inventory analyses, as well as used equipment, demo, and service inventories.
Interface with group management on new product cost development and inventory controls.
Ensure accuracy of standard cost of sales, variances, scrap, and other recurring journal entries detailing cost of sales and inventory.
Fully support the internal controls process, including audit support, control monitoring, and execution of POs, cycle counts, periodic physical inventories, month-end reconciliation of accounts, revenue classifications, and other controls as required. Collaborate closely with material control to develop and monitor inventory control procedures.
Liaise with external auditors for audits on inventory, reserves, and valuation issues.
Report on asset utilization, cycle count accuracy, and completeness.
Participate in annual budgeting and forecasting processes across multiple facilities as requested by Operations and/or BU Finance staff.
Support the business planning and forecasting process, review forecast vs. actual results with department managers, and explain variances.
Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications:
Master’s Degree
Minimum of 7 - 10 years of manufacturing finance or cost accounting experience
Fluency in English
Strong working knowledge of SAP
Experience with Business Objects and Hyperion Financial Management (HFM) preferred
Advanced proficiency in MS Office
Self-starting, self-directed, detailed, team-oriented professional with ability to independently determine the direction of work required and priority of projects
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Experienced financial analysis and communication skills and the ability to successfully interact with management, international teams, and all reporting stakeholders
Ability to work cooperatively with others within and across functions and demonstrate a positive attitude
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