Cost Accounting Manager

Compensation: $135,000 - $160,000 + Bonus

Location: Santa Ana, CA 92701 (Hybrid)

Company

Description:

Our consumer products client, with a portfolio of multiple brands, is searching for a Cost Accounting Manager to lead product costing across its brands. Reporting to the Director of Accounting, this individual will manage the cost accounting team and play a key role in shaping how leadership understands manufacturing performance, cost trends, and product profitability, with close exposure to manufacturing, sourcing, and business unit leaders.

The ideal candidate will have cost accounting and team leadership experience, ideally within a mid- to large-sized inventory-based environment.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan

Responsibilities:

• Direct the cost accounting function across multiple brands, ensuring inventory is costed accurately and consistently.
• Build and maintain standard cost models that properly capture materials, labor, overhead, and other product costs in line with US GAAP and internal policy.
• Deliver timely reporting on manufacturing results, with clear analysis of variances and the drivers behind them.
• Track and interpret product cost trends and explain how they're likely to affect current and future operating results.
• Partner with manufacturing, sourcing, business unit leaders, and FP&A to set and refresh product standard costs.
• Contribute cost inputs and analysis to the annual budget and recurring forecast cycles.
• Review inventory levels and values against expected usage and selling prices to support lower of cost or net realizable value conclusions and reserves.
• Standardize and streamline cost accounting processes and systems across several ERP platforms.
• Identify cost savings opportunities and work with operations and sourcing teams to capture them.
• Write and maintain cost accounting policies, procedures, and process documentation.
• Uphold internal controls and compliance with company policy and applicable accounting standards.
• Prepare schedules and support documentation for internal and external audits.
• Hire, coach, and develop a high-performing cost accounting team.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related
• Cost accounting experience is required
• Team management experience is required
• Experience leading cost accounting in an inventory-based company is required
• Strong command of standard costing, inventory accounting, and US GAAP
• CPA or CMA is deemed a plus
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Net Suite, ideally across multiple systems or business units
• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office skills