Senior Cost Accountant

Company: Hartzell Propeller
Location: Piqua
Posted on: February 5, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description: Hartzell Propeller LLC is the global leader in advanced aircraft propeller design and manufacturing technology for general aviation applications – both piston and turboprop engines – as well as custom propulsion solutions for electric, hybrid-electric aircraft and advanced air mobility programs. Founded in 1917 through an early partnership between Orville Wright and Robert Hartzell, Hartzell Propeller is built on a legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and trust. Our guiding principle—Built on Honor—continues to define how we operate, how we lead, and how we serve our customers worldwide. Our Culture We are a team that prides ourselves on a culture that supports shared values of empowerment, accountability, drive, integrity, and respect. Our team shares a deep commitment to safety and collaboration. We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and professional growth including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance, 401(K) plans with employer match, company provided Growth Participation Units (GPU) and so much more. Our GPU benefit is unique to the industry and encourages all employees to think like owners and receive future financial reward for contributions to business growth. Join our team to be part of a culture that encourages growth and development and celebrates our success. Position Overview The Senior Cost Accountant plays a key role in supporting manufacturing cost visibility, margin analysis, and operational decision-making in a regulated aerospace manufacturing environment. This position partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering to ensure accurate product costing, meaningful variance analysis, and continuous improvement in financial and operational performance. Key Deliverables 1. Standard Costing & Product Cost Structure a. Maintain and update standard costs for materials, labor and overhead in the ERP system b. Review and validate BOMs and routings in partnership with Operations and Engineering c. Support annual cost roll including overhead calculation, rate-setting and validation of cost assumptions d. Analyze financial impact of make-buy decisions and production process changes 2. Manufacturing Variance Analysis a. Detailed analysis of: i. Material usage variance ii. Purchase price variance (PPV) iii. Labor efficiency and rate variances iv. Overhead absorption variances v. Scrap and rework costs b. Investigate root causes with operations, supply chain and engineering c. Provide reporting and actionable insights to management 3. Inventory & Work Order Accounting a. Ensure accurate accounting of WIP, raw materials and finished goods b. Perform monthly inventory reconciliations and research discrepancies c. Routinely manufacturing work orders for accuracy d. Support inventory cycle counts and year end audits 4. Operational Support & Cross Functional Collaboration a. Partner with Operations to drive cost improvements and throughput b. Provide costing support for new products c. Support Supply Chain with supplier cost analysis/PPV root cause reviews 5. Financial Reporting & Month-End Close a. Prepare cost related journal entries (inventory adjustments, variance capitalization, absorption) b. Support month-end close to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting c. Maintain and document costing policies and procedures d. Support the budgeting and forecasting processes though cost driver modeling First Year Success Factors 1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the business and financial systems, tools, and metrics utilized at Hartzell. 2. Build strong working relationships with the Operations, Supply Chain and Engineering teams 3. Develop a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing variance drivers and with timely, meaningful variance analysis that drives decision making 4. Clean inventory reconciliation with minimal adjustments Requirements: Preferred Education and Experience 1. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting; experience in aerospace, defense, automotive or other high-mix manufacturing environment. 2. 3-7 years of experience in cost accounting Required Technical Competencies 1. Solid knowledge of GAAP and inventory accounting 2. Comprehensive understanding of standard costing in a manufacturing ERP system (experience in Infor XA a plus) 3. Strong understanding of BOMS, routings, labor standards and work order flows 4. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and accuracy 5. Lean/Continuous improvement exposure (5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma) 6. Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, lookups, and other advanced formulas. Experience with SQL or Power Query a plus. 7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders Behavioral Characteristics 1. Thinks and acts like an owner a. Uses company resources wisely & cost-effectively b. Shows pride in the organization and a commitment to its long-term success c. Takes full responsibility for their actions d. Holds self to high standards of performance and integrity 2. Demonstrates high integrity a. Consistently acts with honestly, transparency and high ethics b. Makes decisions based on what is morally right c. Owns their actions and holds self accountable 3. Puts team above self; in it together a. Prioritizes team and company over personal gain b. Collaborates with team members within the department and across all functions c. Contributes to a positive work environment 4. Innovates and improves a. Actively supports or initiates continuous improvement efforts b. Shares ideas and suggests solutions that enhance team or business performance c. Stays open to feedback and embraces changes d. Demonstrates a bias towards action 5. Honors commitments a. Consistently follows through on project timelines, meeting and deliverables b. Takes ownership for responsibilities and delivers results c. Communicates proactively when challenges arise and adjusts plans to stay on track Salary Expectations Competitive compensation & benefits package Hartzell Propeller has a pre-employment and random Federal Drug & Alcohol Testing requirement and tests for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines and phencyclidine in addition to alcohol. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability/E-Verify PI052ee4660f02-25405-39546606

Keywords: Hartzell Propeller, Covington , Senior Cost Accountant, Accounting, Auditing , Piqua, Kentucky