Cost Accounting Manager

Cost Accounting ManagerType: In-Office | Full-Time | Regina, SK

About Our Client

Our client is a diversified, mid-to-large manufacturing organization with operations across Saskatchewan and the United States. With multiple production facilities and a broad product portfolio, the company serves a range of industrial markets through engineered, high-quality equipment and manufacturing excellence.

Known for its collaborative culture and strong partnership between finance and operations, the organization values continuous improvement, accountability, and practical innovation. The cost accounting function, established within the past several years, is continuing to evolve—creating a unique opportunity for a new leader to shape processes, strengthen reporting capabilities, and elevate financial insight across manufacturing operations.

This role is particularly exciting for a candidate who thrives in environments where they can make a measurable impact—enhancing costing accuracy, mentoring a developing team, and driving operational decision support at a strategic level.

Key Responsibilities

As the Cost Accounting Manager, you will lead and strengthen the cost accounting function across multiple manufacturing sites, ensuring accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting integrity. Your responsibilities will include:

Costing & Inventory Management

• Maintain and enhance standard costing methodology within the ERP system to ensure accurate inventory valuation and cost allocation across plants.
• Monitor inventory transactions, including scrap, WIP, and COGS, to ensure compliance with corporate policies and accurate financial statement impact.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Oversee monthly and quarterly close processes related to inventory and cost of goods sold, including general ledger reconciliations.
• Analyze and report on manufacturing variances such as labour, material, and overhead absorption, providing clear and actionable insights to operations leadership.

Budgeting, Forecasting & FP&A Support

• Support quarterly forecasting and absorption modeling based on production plans, purchase price variances, scrap rates, and material usage.
• Participate in annual budgeting processes, including preparation of standard costs, plant budgets, and detailed gross margin analysis at the product and SKU level.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and mentor a geographically dispersed team of cost accountants across multiple plant locations.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement while building strong cross-functional relationships with operations and supply chain teams.

Process Improvement & Controls

• Drive the development and enhancement of procedures and internal controls to ensure reliable product costing and accurate inventories.
• Prepare for and participate in internal and external audits related to inventory and costing to ensure compliance and transparency.
• Travel infrequently (approximately 2–3 times per year) to Saskatchewan plant locations to build relationships and support operational alignment.

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, candidates should demonstrate the following:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related discipline.
• CPA designation strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of cost accounting experience within a manufacturing environment, ideally in multi-site and discrete manufacturing settings.

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in standard costing, with job costing exposure considered an asset.
• Experience working with mature or legacy ERP systems and the ability to navigate structured systems environments effectively.
• Knowledge of ASPE is considered an asset.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office Suite.

Key Competencies

• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear operational insights.
• Proven leadership capability, including experience managing remote or geographically dispersed teams.
• Robust understanding of internal controls and financial reporting processes. Strategic mindset with the confidence to respectfully challenge assumptions and drive improvement.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.