Cost Accounting Manager

What to Expect

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 

Continuous Improvement 

• Identify cost-saving opportunities and lead cost reduction initiatives 

• Optimize costing processes and reporting tools 

• Drive best practices in cost transparency and operational finance