Cost accountant vs cost accounting manager

The differences between cost accountants and cost accounting managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a cost accountant, becoming a cost accounting manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a cost accounting manager has an average salary of $89,286, which is higher than the $60,528 average annual salary of a cost accountant.

The top three skills for a cost accountant include reconciliations, variance analysis and GAAP. The most important skills for a cost accounting manager are variance analysis, financial analysis, and reconciliations.

Cost accountant vs cost accounting manager overview

	Cost Accountant	Cost Accounting Manager
Yearly salary	$60,528	$89,286
Hourly rate	$29.10	$42.93
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	39,925	61,135
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age	44	46
Years of experience	4	8

What does a cost accountant do?

A cost accountant specializes in determining the total cost incurred by a company from producing goods and services. Through the various financial data they collect, the cost accountant will devise plans and strategies that will be a vital factor in the next budget and marketing preparations of a company. Aside from this, a cost accountant is responsible for various tasks such as conducting research and analysis in different areas, keeping financial records and inventory, producing financial reports involving profitability and expenditures, and proposing a budget and other financial plans.

What does a cost accounting manager do?

A cost accounting manager is responsible for analyzing and evaluating pricing and costing systems of the goods and services of an organization, ensuring its adherence to the internal guidelines and state regulations. Cost accounting managers review business and financial transactions to generate accounting reports for management reference. They also identify business opportunities that would provide revenue resources and profits by monitoring industry trends and public demands. A cost accounting manager must have excellent analytical skills and accounting principles knowledge, especially in resolving account and expense discrepancies.

Cost accountant vs cost accounting manager salary

Cost accountants and cost accounting managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cost Accountant	Cost Accounting Manager
Average salary	$60,528	$89,286
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $81,000	Between $67,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	Edison, NJ	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Connecticut
Best paying company	Google	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Energy	Manufacturing

Differences between cost accountant and cost accounting manager education

There are a few differences between a cost accountant and a cost accounting manager in terms of educational background:

	Cost Accountant	Cost Accounting Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Cost accountant vs cost accounting manager demographics

Here are the differences between cost accountants' and cost accounting managers' demographics:

	Cost Accountant	Cost Accounting Manager
Average age	44	46
Gender ratio	Male, 52.6% Female, 47.4%	Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 12.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 9.2% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	7%	11%

Differences between cost accountant and cost accounting manager duties and responsibilities

Cost accountant example responsibilities.

Manage ledgers and perform month end journal entries.
Manage the payroll with ADP system and account receivable.
Manage costing control as well as accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R).
Prepare internal financial reports for treasury manage accounts include in external compliance reports.
Prepare raw material and WIP inventory reconciliations.
Develop tracking of GAAP inventory valuation for all inventory inherit from the bankrupt former company.

Cost accounting manager example responsibilities.

Manage the monthly analysis of variances which include PPV, MUV, substitution and labor.
Lead ERP system integration team and restructure manufacturing accounting system of newly acquire facility.
Manage payroll and all taxation matters, coordinate independent audit; communicate with outside organizations and agencies.
Direct the development, administration, and standards necessary to maintain financial controls in compliance with GAAP and SOX.
Provide financial management of inventories for multiple facilities to include book-to-physical account reconciliations, inventory projections and reduction plans.
Maintain standard cost integrity including annual standard changes, inventory valuation, monthly closings, account reconciliations and annual budgeting.

Cost accountant vs cost accounting manager skills

Common cost accountant skills

Reconciliations, 9%
Variance Analysis, 6%
GAAP, 4%
Account Reconciliations, 3%
Cost Analysis, 3%
Financial Analysis, 3%

Common cost accounting manager skills

Variance Analysis, 5%
Financial Analysis, 5%
Reconciliations, 4%
Financial Reports, 4%
Product Cost, 4%
ERP, 4%

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Cost Accountant vs Cost Accounting Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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