Job Title: Product Costing Consultant
Location with zip code: Remote
Duration: 6 Months
Pay rate/ Salary: $ 104/hr. on w2 without benefits
Position: is 100% remote, but seeking candidates (preferably CST or EST) that can overlap with the US and Latin America time zones).
Job Description:
- 8+ years of progressive experience in product costing, cost accounting, or management accounting
- Extensive hands-on experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP CO (Controlling) module with focus on Product Cost Controlling (CO-PC)
- Proven experience in manufacturing or consumer goods industry with understanding of production processes and cost flows
- Strong experience with standard costing, actual costing, and variance analysis
- Demonstrated experience with month-end close processes, inventory valuation, and COGS calculations
- Track record of leading costing system implementations or significant system enhancements
- The Product Costing Consultant Expert is responsible for leading product costing initiatives, ensuring accurate cost accounting, and providing strategic insights to support business decision-making. This role requires deep expertise in cost accounting methodologies, ERP systems (preferably SAP), and the ability to analyze complex costing scenarios. The consultant will work closely with cross-functional teams including Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to optimize product costs, improve margin analysis, and support pricing strategies.
- This is a critical role that combines technical accounting expertise with business partnership to drive informed decision-making and financial performance across the organization.
- The Product Costing Consultant Expert will transform cost accounting into a strategic function that drives measurable business value and operational excellence. This role encompasses end-to-end product costing processes and delivers actionable insights to stakeholders across the enterprise.
- Costing Process Leadership:
- Lead and manage product costing processes including standard cost development, cost roll-ups, and variance analysis
- Configure and maintain product costing functionality within ERP systems (SAP CO-PC Product Costing module preferred)
- Develop and implement cost accounting policies, procedures, and best practices aligned with organizational standards and regulatory requirements
- Conduct detailed cost analysis including material costs, labor costs, overhead allocation, and manufacturing variances
Financial Reporting & Controls:
- Support month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory valuation and cost of goods sold (COGS)
- Analyze and reconcile manufacturing variances (price, usage, volume, efficiency) and provide actionable insights
- Support transfer pricing, intercompany transactions, and multi-entity costing scenarios
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards (US GAAP, IFRS) and internal control requirements
- Collaborate with external auditors during financial audits related to inventory and cost accounting
Business Partnership & Strategic Insights:
- Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing teams to understand cost drivers and identify cost reduction opportunities
- Provide costing expertise for new product launches, product transitions, and make-vs-buy decisions
- Develop and maintain cost models, tools, and reporting dashboards to support business planning and decision-making
- Deliver insights on margin analysis, profitability, and pricing strategies to support executive decision-making
System Implementation & Continuous Improvement:
- Lead system implementations, upgrades, and enhancements related to product costing functionality
- Drive adoption of best practices and standardized processes across the organization
- Leverage technology and automation to improve efficiency and accuracy of costing processes
- Train and mentor finance team members and business stakeholders on costing methodologies and systems
Required Education:
- Required: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
- Preferred: Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or MBA
- Certifications: CPA, CMA, or other relevant professional accounting certification (preferred)
Required Experience:
- 8+ years of progressive experience in product costing, cost accounting, or management accounting
- Extensive hands-on experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP CO (Controlling) module with focus on Product Cost Controlling (CO-PC)
- Proven experience in manufacturing or consumer goods industry with understanding of production processes and cost flows
- Strong experience with standard costing, actual costing, and variance analysis
- Demonstrated experience with month-end close processes, inventory valuation, and COGS calculations
- rack record of leading costing system implementations or significant system enhancements
Preferred Experience:
- Experience with SAP S/4HANA and Material Ledger functionality
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience in global, multi-entity organizations with complex transfer pricing scenarios
- Consulting experience or Big 4 public accounting background
- Experience with business intelligence tools (Power BI, Tableau, SAP Analytics Cloud)
- Project management certification (PMP) or demonstrated project leadership experience
- Experience with cost management in regulated industries
- Knowledge of automation and RPA applications in finance processes
Technical Knowledge & Skills:
- Expert knowledge of cost accounting principles and methodologies (absorption costing, activity-based costing, etc.)
- Deep understanding of manufacturing cost structures including materials, labor, and overhead allocation
- Proficiency in financial systems and tools (SAP CO-PC, SAP FI, SAP MM integration)
- Advanced Excel skills including financial modeling, pivot tables, and data analysis
- Knowledge of US GAAP and/or IFRS accounting standards related to inventory and cost accounting
- Financial modeling and analysis capabilities
- Data analytics and reporting skills
- System configuration and testing expertise
- Understanding of internal controls and SOX compliance requirements
Soft Skills:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail
- Excellent communication skills with ability to explain complex costing concepts to non-finance stakeholders at all organizational levels
- Strategic thinking and business acumen to connect costing insights with broader business objectives
- Stakeholder management and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams
- Project management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of deliverables in a remote environment
- Change management capabilities to drive adoption of new processes and systems
- Mentoring and training abilities to develop team capabilities
- Continuous improvement mindset with focus on innovation and efficiency
- Adaptability in fast-paced, dynamic environments with changing priorities
Required Skills:
- Cost Accuracy & Integrity: Ensures product costs are accurate, compliant, and reflective of actual business operations
- Strategic Insights: Provides data-driven recommendations to optimize costs, improve margins, and support pricing decisions
- Process Excellence: Establishes scalable, efficient costing processes that support business growth
- System Optimization: Maximizes value from ERP investments through expert configuration and continuous improvement
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Strengthens collaboration between Finance and Operations to drive better business outcomes
- Compliance & Control: Maintains robust internal controls and ensures adherence to accounting standards
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