What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cost Accounting Manager position at Vibrant Works?
Company Description
Vibrant Works, formerly known as San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Vision Impaired, is a nonprofit organization that has been empowering individuals with vision loss since 1933. The organization provides critical rehabilitation services and meaningful employment opportunities to individuals who are blind or vision impaired. With a focus on inclusion and support, Vibrant Works aims to foster personal and professional growth within a vibrant community. Through its initiatives, Vibrant Works continues to make a positive impact on lives and communities.
Role Description
The Cost Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing all cost accounting functions, including inventory valuation, standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting support, and operational cost analysis. This role partners cross-functionally with operations, engineering, supply chain, and finance leadership to improve profitability, strengthen inventory controls, and support strategic business decisions. The Cost Accounting Manager will also drive process improvements, ensure compliance with GAAP, and support continuous operational efficiencies.
JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESONSIBILITIES:
- Manage and maintain the standard cost system for materials, labor, and overhead; support forecasting and annual budgeting processes
- Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to cost new products and maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs)
- Coordinate and conduct physical and cycle counts of raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods inventory
- Develop and communicate financial and operational reports to management, including production, margin, and variance analysis
- Provide profitability analysis, identify cost drivers, and recommend cost-saving measures
- Partner with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and finance leadership to resolve cost issues and improve operational efficiencies
- Analyze production methods and changes in raw materials to determine their impact on costs and identify opportunities for improvement
- Ensure accounting practices comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), particularly in relation to financial statements and inventory valuation
- Demonstrate and embodies our values: Be Limitless, Be Resilient, Be People Centered, Be a Team, and Be Trustworthy
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred
- CPA and/or CMA certification preferred
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant accounting experience in a manufacturing cost accounting environment
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, inventory management, and standard costing methodologies
- Advanced proficiency in ERP systems, accounting software, and Microsoft Excel
- Strong knowledge of cost accounting principles, including standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and inventory controls
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience in effectively communicating key data and working with various departments
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while consistently meeting deadlines
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated business acumen with a clear understanding of the operational drivers of cost