Cost Accounting Manager

Cost Accounting Manager

Job Description: The Cost Accounting Manager oversees the daily operations of the cost accounting function, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of inventory, including excess and obsolete reserves. This role partners closely with manufacturing sites to support, analyze, and review budgets to drive maximum cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency. The manager prepares and presents key financial insights, including cost reports, variance analysis, and profitability assessments, to senior leadership.

The position focuses on identifying and recommending cost-saving initiatives, while implementing and maintaining robust cost accounting systems and strategies to ensure accurate financial reporting. The Cost Accounting Manager will also provide leadership and guidance to a cost accountant direct report.

• Oversee the daily operations of the cost accounting function to ensure accurate and timely financial information.
• Manage the tracking and reporting of inventory, including excess and obsolete (E&O) reserves, to support reliable financial statements.
• Partner with manufacturing sites to support, analyze, and review budgets with a focus on cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Prepare detailed cost reports, variance analyses, and profitability assessments for senior leadership.
• Analyze labor, overhead, and absorption costs to support decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Establish, document, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) within the plant to strengthen cost accounting processes.
• Maintain and enhance standard cost models and bills of materials to ensure accurate product costing.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend cost-saving initiatives to improve overall financial performance.
• Implement and maintain robust cost accounting systems and strategies within a large-scale ERP environment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide financial insights that support operational and strategic decisions.
• Use advanced Excel tools such as pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and INDEX MATCH to analyze large data sets and generate meaningful insights.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a cost accountant direct report, providing guidance, feedback, and support.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and company policies related to cost accounting and inventory management.
• Continuously review and improve cost accounting processes to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and transparency.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• At least 5 years of standard costing experience.
• At least 5 years of cost analysis experience, including labor, overhead, and absorption.
• At least 5 years of experience managing and tracking inventory.
• Experience establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) within a plant environment.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, variance analysis, cost analysis, bills of materials, standard cost, and inventory accounting.
• Ability to create and use pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and INDEX MATCH functions in Excel.
• Proficiency with large-scale ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Infor, Syte Line, Workday, SAGE, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on accuracy and detail.
• Ability to communicate financial insights clearly to non-financial stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with manufacturing and cross‑functional teams.

• Experience with Syte Line ERP is a plus.
• Experience using Power BI for reporting and data visualization is desirable.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation is an advantage.
• Experience creating and using macros in Excel is beneficial.
• Prior experience leading or supervising cost accounting staff is helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and cost‑saving initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule with three days in the office and two days working from home each week, with flexibility to choose the two remote days. The position operates in a…