Senior Financial Analyst - Cost Accounting

The Senior Financial Analyst – Cost Accounting will provide financial planning, analysis, accounting, and cost accounting support for the Thermal Solutions Finance organization. Working in partnership with the Cost Accounting Manager, this role supports the daily cost accounting function to ensure the accuracy of the financials, including the annual standard cost update, the review and improvement of costing policies and procedures, and providing insight into cost impacts and the financial impact of business performance. The role also assists in ensuring the company’s financial plans and policies are implemented and followed, including supporting the annual operating plan (AOP), forecast, and long-range plan (LRP). The position partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and global manufacturing teams and offers the opportunity to build broad expertise in manufacturing cost accounting and grow into increased responsibility over time.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Cost Accounting

• Support the daily cost accounting function in partnership with the Cost Accounting Manager to ensure the accuracy of product costs, inventory, and cost of goods sold in the financials.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of the company’s costing processes, systems, and policies, and serve as backup for key cost accounting activities.
• Assist with the annual standard cost update and maintain standard costs for material, labor, and overhead in Oracle; review item costs, bills of material, and routings for accuracy.
• Contribute to the review and improvement of costing policies and procedures, costing methodology, and inventory controls.
• Provide insight into the cost impacts of operational, volume, pricing, and sourcing changes, and help leadership understand the financial impact of business performance.
• Assist with labor and overhead rate development; monitor overhead absorption and analyze under- and over-absorbed costs.
• Analyze and explain manufacturing variances, including purchase price, material usage, labor, overhead, yield, and scrap variances; communicate results and root causes to Operations and leadership.
• Prepare monthly inventory valuation, work-in-process, and cost of goods sold reporting; reconcile inventory subledgers to the general ledger.
• Prepare inventory reserve analysis, including excess and obsolete and lower of cost or net realizable value analysis.
• Support physical inventory, cycle count, and inventory reconciliation activities, including the year-end inventory audit.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to identify cost drivers, track cost reduction initiatives, and improve the accuracy of costing data.

• Prepare cost-related journal entries and accruals during the monthly close process.

  Financial Planning, Analysis & Accounting

• Support the annual operating plan (AOP), forecast, and long-range plan (LRP), with a focus on standard costs, inventory, cost of goods sold, and gross margin.
• Prepare product cost and gross margin analysis to support pricing, make-versus-buy, new product introduction, and cost reduction decisions.
• Research department expense variances and provide clear explanations of financial results to Finance, Operations, and leadership teams.
• Assist in ensuring the company’s financial plans and policies are implemented and followed.
• Prepare monthly intercompany reconciliations across global entities; research and resolve intercompany differences timely and coordinate with international finance teams to ensure balances agree.
• Prepare and review monthly balance sheet account analysis and reconciliations; research and resolve reconciling items timely.
• Support internal and external audit requests, compliance activities, and required documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, strengthen controls, enhance data integrity, and streamline finance processes.
• Provide additional support to the Finance team as needed.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• Five or more years of experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Three or more years of experience in financial planning and budgeting required.
• Hands-on experience with standard costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing variance analysis required.
• Experience with Oracle ERP (Cost Management and Inventory modules) and Hyperion preferred.
• Experience with intercompany accounting and reconciliations across multiple entities preferred.

• CMA or CPA a plus.

Skills

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in costing data, financial reporting, and reconciliations.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify root causes, explain variances, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Proficient with networked PC-based computer systems, including Microsoft Office, advanced Excel spreadsheets, email, Oracle, and other ERP/reporting systems.
• Strong working knowledge of standard costing, bills of material, routings, overhead allocation, and inventory accounting under U.S. GAAP.
• Comfortable working directly with Operations on the manufacturing floor to understand processes and validate costing data.
• A self-starter with strong ownership and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while managing multiple priorities and short deadlines.
• Ability to excel in a cross-organizational, cross-cultural, global team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex cost and financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times and handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.

• Continuous improvement mindset with experience improving reporting, processes, controls, and financial visibility.

Working Conditions

Full time onsite; Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time due to prolonged periods of sitting.

Physical Requirements

Some light lifting of boxed files may be required.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.