cost accountant

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Employer details Joseph Transportation Group Cost Accountant Reporting to the VP Finance, the role of Cost Accountant is responsible for tracking, analyzing and controlling operational costs associated with fleet, personnel, maintenance, fuel, routes, equipment usage, and other overheads. This role supports pricing decisions, margin analysis, budgeting/forecasting and cost efficiency initiatives specific to transportation operations. The incumbent will collaborate closely with operations, fleet management, logistics, procurement and finance to ensure cost accuracy and support strategic decisions. Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain cost accounting models for transportation activities: fleet (trucks, trailers), fuel, driver labour, maintenance, depreciation, route overhead allocation. Analyze actual vs standard costs for major cost centres (e.g., fuel, maintenance, driver wages/OT, equipment lease/depreciation) and prepare variance analyses with explanations and recommendations. Assist in setting standard costs or rate per km, rate per hour, per trip cost models for transportation services, review periodically for accuracy and update. Work with operations/logistics to collect cost data (fuel consumption, idle time, maintenance events, driver hours, route inefficiencies) and feed this into cost models. Support pricing and contract negotiations by providing cost inputs (e.g., cost per mile/trip, cost of downtime, maintenance reserve) to sales/operations. Assist with budgeting and forecasting of transportation/route costs, as well as scenario modelling (e.g., fuel price increases, route changes, driver wage changes). Prepare internal management reports and dashboards showing key cost metrics (cost per mile, cost per hour, cost per load, fleet utilisation, maintenance cost per vehicle) for senior management. Collaborate with procurement/fleet management to identify cost saving opportunities (e.g., maintenance scheduling optimisation, fuel programme, route/asset utilisation improvement). Support month‑end, quarter‑end and year‑end close processes related to cost of operations: allocate overhead, reconcile cost centres, ensure accuracy of cost‑related GL accounts. Ensure cost accounting practices comply with Canadian accounting standards (e.g., CPA guidelines) and company policies. Maintain documentation for costing methodologies, cost allocation bases, asset depreciation schedules, fleet costing rules. Ad‑hoc cost projects such as fleet renewal cost modelling, cost of downtime analysis, route profitability analysis, and equipment lease vs buy cost modelling. General Ledger Management & Controls Ensure the Company financial information adheres to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (ASPE). Develop, administer, and apply Company accounting policies, procedures, authorities guide and internal controls. Monthly balance sheet reconciliations. Prepare monthly journal entries and monthly postings for payables (fuel, leasing, payroll), ensuring all entries are posted for a clean month‑end close. Ensure appropriate cut‑off at month end with accruals including proper supporting documentation for revenues, expenses, and capital items as well as accurate inventory. Reporting and KPI’s Create, analyze, and report to senior management on monthly KPIs. Identify key areas of improvement through reporting for operations. Develop and maintain SOPs on key reporting KPIs. Competencies Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret complex financial data and perform detailed analysis to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement. Strong problem‑solving skills with the capability to develop actionable insights from financial information. Attention to Detail: Meticulous in reviewing financial data, reports, and documents to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards. Ability to identify discrepancies. Location & Employment Details Location: Stoney Creek, ON Work location: On site Salary: $80,000 to $95,000 per year Terms of employment: Full time Starts as soon as possible Vacancies: 1 Source: i.e. details: indeed.com #9914182362 #J-18808-Ljbffr