Cost Accountant

Work Setup: Hybrid (once a month RTO)

Location: Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Summary:

The Cost Accountant main function is to provide accounting, analytical and budgeting support for the Product Configuration & Costing Team, particularly focusing on standard costs. He/She will support month end account reconciliations, SOX testing, miscellaneous support functions.

The Cost Accountant will participate in the control and movement of timely Plan and Outlook information and participate in review and analysis of Plan and Outlook submissions from Supply Chain FP&A Team. He/She will also assist with numerous special reports and requests as defined on an ongoing basis.

On an on-going basis, the Cost Accountant is expected to perform based on the key result area of the process, meet/ exceed metrics set based on the Key Performance Indicator, identify improvements, and execute related controls in-scope. 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Product Costing (45%)

• After material master, BOMs, and routings are complete, review for accuracy and completeness, determine the accurate cost, compare to Gate 3 costing expectations/margins and send applicable notifications if significantly different and send to plants for approval. Mark & Release new items.

Account Routing / Additive Creation & Maintenance (20%)

• The Cost Accountant is responsible for the comprehensive and timely preparation and certification of accounts using Hershey system, i.e. Blackline System.  This includes reviewing and reconciling the balance sheet accounts, with reference to the Balance Sheet Policy, identifying issues, coordinating with the account owners, analyzing the root causes and determining the next steps that will lead to the resolution of those issues.
• The Cost Accountant is also expected to work closely with internal Business Partners and provide support and analyses to address their accounting-related concerns.

BOM Maintenance (20%)

• Analyze discrepancies associated with scheduled cost runs. Explain standard costing errors and differences throughout the month and provide necessary written explanation for quantitative impacts to the P&L generated from standards changes. Participate in Supply Chain planning process for standard costing. Assist in efforts to improve efficiency and accuracy of standard costing. Work with global teams to ensure standard costing is accurate and trouble shoot issues. Participate in annual standards review process where usages and scrap factors are reviewed.

Special Projects/Requests (15%)

• Special Projects / Requests. Assist with analyzing of standards change, processing standards changes, troubleshooting issues with collective orders, routings, or BOMs, adding new lines for changes to production, packaging flow thru errors, etc.
• Key Performance Indicator/ Metrics/ Service Level Agreement and Process Improvement. The Record to Report Function have defined Service Level Agreement and Key Performance indicator Metrics for each function, which needs to be met consistently.  It is the responsibility of the Cost Accountant to ensure that these are met or exceeded.  Also, to ensure that preventive and necessary actions are in place, in case metrics are not met. The Cost Accountant is also responsible in driving major work process changes that would significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the process, which can either be quick wins or projects.
• Adhoc/ other Tasks. Others related ad hoc roles that may be assigned with alignment with the Cost Accountant.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

Knowledge:
•    BS Accountancy, or its equivalent
•    Proficient understanding of US GAAP and local GAAP
•    Knowledge and experienced application of manufacturing cost standards
•    Plant operational experience
•    Basic knowledge of SAP 
•    Strong Computer/Data Base Knowledge (Alteryx, Business Warehouse and Microsoft Office Package preferred)

Soft Skills:
•    Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills
•    Good Interpersonal Communication Skills, 
•    Collaboration Skills
•    Attention to Details
•    Ability to plan, organize and seek change
•    Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
•    Works with minimum supervision
•    Proactive
•    Project Management Skills and ability to prioritize
•    Continuous Improvement mindset

Behavior/ Attitude:

• Customer Focused and Results Oriented. Understands issues from the customers’ perspective; considers the impact of decisions, processes, services on the customer; demonstrates passion for providing excellent customer service; treats customers with respect and care and uses a variety of approaches to identify customer needs; conveys a sense of urgency to get things done; ensures that there are necessary resources available for resolution of escalated customer issues; monitors the quality resolution of customer issues.

• Problem Solving. Detailed oriented; uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; effectively researches and probes all sources for answers; can see/recognize hidden problems and look beyond the obvious. 

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or equivalent

Experience:

• Must have a minimum of 2 to 5 years of Manufacturing Accounting or equivalent experience.
• Must be familiar with Product Process (Manufacturing setup)
• Must have BOM understanding for Costing
• Basic knowledge in SAP is highly preferred, S4 Hana (ideal), and Excel
• Amenable to a pure night shift of 8:00pm to 5:00am