Cost Accounting Manager

Gruppo EMS, Inc.; Biñan; On-site; PHP 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Gruppo EMS, Inc. is seeking a Cost Accounting Manager to oversee all cost accounting activities within a global motorcycling manufacturing environment. The role emphasizes standard costing, inventory valuation, and cost control, with SAP expertise (CO module) as a key requirement.

The ideal candidate will lead cost accounting, budgeting, and forecasting, partner with Operations and Engineering, and drive continuous cost improvements across the manufacturing lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 5+ years of cost accounting experience in automotive or manufacturing industries.
• Managerial or leadership experience.
• Strong SAP experience, CO module required; FI/MM preferred.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills; BI tools a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee cost accounting functions including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• Maintain and update standard costs for finished goods, parts, and overhead in SAP.
• Analyze variances and provide actionable insights for cost control.
• Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual closes related to inventory and COGS.
• Act as SAP Inventory accounting key user; manage cost centers and product costing.
• Drive SAP reporting improvements and support enhancements, upgrades and implementations.
• Partner with Operations, Logistics, and Engineering to understand cost drivers.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting for COGS; monitor deviations and adjust plans.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities and drive process efficiency.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting

Tools

SAP CO module

Excel (advanced)

Power BI

SAP BW

Job description

The Cost Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing all cost accounting activities within a global motorcycling manufacturing and distribution environment. This role ensures accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting, while driving cost control initiatives and supporting operational efficiency. The ideal candidate has deep experience in preferably, automotive or related manufacturing and strong expertise in SAP, preferably SAP S/4Hana.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Reporting

• Manage and oversee all cost accounting functions, of which parts are outsourced to a shared service center, including standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation
• Maintain and update standard costs for finished goods, parts and overhead allocations, within SAP
• Calculate and account for obsolescence and warranty reserves
• Analyze and report production variances (material, labor, overhead) and provide actionable insights
• Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes related to inventory and cost of goods sold

SAP System Management

• Act as key user for SAP inventory accounting
• Maintain cost centers, profit centers, internal orders, and product costing structures in SAP
• Drive continuous improvements in SAP reporting, costing accuracy, and process efficiency
• Support SAP enhancements, upgrades, and implementation projects

Business Partnering

• Partner with Operations, Logistics and Engineering teams to understand cost drivers and support decision‑making
• Provide financial support for new product launches, engineering changes, and other initiatives
• Develop and monitor KPIs related to manufacturing efficiency, scrap, and productivity

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead COGS‑related budgeting and forecasting processes
• Monitor actual performance against budgets and forecast deviations
• Support long‑term cost planning and strategic initiatives

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting standards, and company policies
• Support audits related to inventory and cost accounting
• Maintain accurate documentation and audit trails within SAP
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and lead cost reduction initiatives
• Optimize costing processes and reporting tools
• Drive best practices in cost transparency and operational finance

Job requirements

Skills and Attributes

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in cost accounting within the automotive or manufacturing industry
• Proven experience in a managerial or leadership role
• Strong experience with SAP (CO module required; FI/MM preferred)

Technical Skills

• Advanced SAP knowledge (product costing, cost center accounting, profitability analysis)
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (BOMs, routings, standard costing)
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills
• Experience with BI tools (e.g., Power BI, SAP BW) is a plus

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑volume production environment
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Financial acumen and business insight
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Strategic thinking with hands‑on execution