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Fiscal manager vs cost accounting manager

The differences between fiscal managers and cost accounting managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a fiscal manager and a cost accounting manager. Additionally, a cost accounting manager has an average salary of $89,286, which is higher than the $61,354 average annual salary of a fiscal manager.

The top three skills for a fiscal manager include fiscal management, payroll taxes and general ledger. The most important skills for a cost accounting manager are variance analysis, financial analysis, and reconciliations.

Fiscal manager vs cost accounting manager overview

Fiscal ManagerCost Accounting Manager
Yearly salary$61,354$89,286
Hourly rate$29.50$42.93
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs65,13261,135
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a fiscal manager do?

A fiscal manager supervises branch inventory project design to reinforce inventory levels by implementing the newest procedures and installation of software. A part of his/her or her duties and responsibilities are to execute all bookkeeping payroll functions which include employee pay adjustment processing and electronic deposits. Fiscal managers provide general oversight of monetary reporting and auditing of subcontract agencies to make sure fiscal compliance with contractual and funder requirements. They maintain individual files for every vendor or subcontractor invoices, analyze and archive vendor statements and solve billing discrepancies.

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.

Fiscal manager vs cost accounting manager salary

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

Fiscal ManagerCost Accounting Manager
Average salary$61,354$89,286
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $85,000Between $67,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CityMerced, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyConnecticut
Best paying companyCity of DetroitMicrosoft
Best paying industryInternetManufacturing

Differences between fiscal manager and cost accounting manager education

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

Fiscal ManagerCost Accounting Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Fiscal manager vs cost accounting manager demographics

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

Fiscal ManagerCost Accounting Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 34.8% Female, 65.2%Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between fiscal manager and cost accounting manager duties and responsibilities

Fiscal manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage the annual audit process; working with auditors to ensure programs compliance and GAAP.
  • Manage accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting & reconciliations.
  • Manage bank reconciliations, financial analysis, and monthly reporting, ensuring accuracy and completeness of data.
  • Coordinate annual audit with CPA firm.
  • Close financial activity and prepare monthly financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
  • Provide general oversight of financial reporting and auditing of subcontract agencies to ensure fiscal compliance with contractual and funder requirements.
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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.
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Fiscal manager vs cost accounting manager skills

Common fiscal manager skills
  • Fiscal Management, 8%
  • Payroll Taxes, 6%
  • General Ledger, 5%
  • Federal Regulations, 4%
  • Fiscal Policies, 4%
  • Journal Entries, 4%
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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