COST ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) seeks a Cost Accounting Manager to lead the cost accounting and inventory functions, ensuring accurate costing, valuations, and profitability analysis. The role oversees a dedicated cost accounting team and supports ERP implementation and internal controls.

The position collaborates with operations, production, and supply chain to drive cost efficiency and accuracy, and assists with budgeting, forecasting, and audits as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required.
• Minimum five years of progressive cost and inventory accounting experience.
• CPA or CGMA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Cost Accounting team, providing supervision and training.
• Collaborate with operations, production, and supply chain to improve cost accuracy.
• Prepare weekly/monthly cost reports and variance analyses for CFO.
• Support month-end and year-end closes and audits.
• Serve as SME for cost accounting and inventory within ERP systems.

Skills

Communication skills

Excel

GAAP knowledge

Data entry

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

ERP software

Job description

CABVI is seeking a Cost Accounting Manager to be responsible for managing and overseeing the agency’s cost accounting functions to ensure accuracy of financial statements. This includes ensuring accurate product and service costing, inventory valuation, and profitability analysis. Manage the cost accounting team.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS

• Manage, motivate, train, and support the Cost Accounting team to ensure staff have the knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to meet departmental goals and objectives. Provide day-to-day supervision, assign and prioritize work, monitor performance, address questions or concerns, and promote accountability, accuracy, and timely completion of assigned tasks. Develop and deliver ongoing training on cost accounting processes, agency policies, internal controls, documentation requirements, and system procedures to support consistent and efficient operations. Ensure the department operates in compliance with agency policies and procedures, applicable state and federal regulations, audit requirements, and established financial controls. Identify opportunities to strengthen team performance, improve workflow, reduce errors, and enhance communication within the department and with internal stakeholders.
• Work actively with all departments but specifically collaborate with operations, production, and supply chain teams to improve cost efficiency and accuracy.
• Prepare weekly and monthly cost accounting reports, inventory valuation reports, and standard costing and variance analysis if required. These reports will be provided to the CFO, which will be the basis for weekly/monthly meetings with the CFO. Also, will be required to prepare weekly key metric reports as outlined by the CFO as well as reconcile the all inventory and cost related general ledger account balances monthly. Would ensure accurate month-end and year-end closing processes and assist with internal/external audits by providing documentation as needed.
• Assist the General Accounting Manager with budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning process as needed.
• Stay updated with accounting standards, regulations, and industry best practices, ensuring compliance and adapting processes as needed.
• Work with all outside agencies as needed, including maintaining effective communication, coordinating required documentation, responding to information requests, and ensuring timely follow-up on matters.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the cost accounting system, processes, and controls that are in use. Identify areas for process improvement to determine where efficiencies can be gained, errors can be reduced, and productivity can be improved. Implement approved changes and monitor outcomes to ensure improvements are successful, sustainable, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Become the subject matter expert (SME) for all of the cost accounting and inventory activity associated with the new ERP software(s). Assume the lead trainer role for all A/P employees (both current and new).

Communication Skills

Must have excellent listening skills and ability to effectively respond to a variety of vendor requirements. Must have ability to effectively communicate and obtain information from staff.

Computer/Technical Skills

Must have good mathematical skills. Must have good adding machine, typing and data entry skills. Must have excellent computer skills with an emphasis on Excel and database usage. Must be willing to learn new technology. Must have a strong working knowledge of GAAP standards as it relates to cost accounting and inventory to guide team and train the team accordingly.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

90% of the job requires sitting and performing clerical duties. Occasionally required to stand, walk and hear. Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, and stoop or kneel. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key job elements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

In-house Position. Noise level is moderate.

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required. Minimum five years of progressive cost and inventory accounting experience required, preferably within a manufacturing or supply chain environment. CPA or CGMA preferred.

CABVI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.