Product Costing Consultant

Overview

**Partner with Aquent to Drive Strategic Financial Performance for a Global Leader!**

Aquent is seeking an exceptional Product Costing Consultant to join a leading global enterprise known for its innovative products and commitment to operational excellence. This is an unparalleled opportunity to transform cost accounting into a strategic powerhouse, directly influencing critical business decisions and shaping the financial future of a dynamic organization. If you’re ready to leverage your deep expertise to optimize costs, enhance profitability, and provide invaluable insights across a complex global landscape, we invite you to make a significant impact in this pivotal role.

SUMMARY OF ROLE
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.

SCOPE: CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
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

REQUIREMENTS
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)

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
• Track 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 & Competencies:
• 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
 

KEY DELIVERABLES & VALUE
This role will deliver significant value to the organization through:
• 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

Position is 100% remote, but seeking candidates (preferrably CST or EST) that can overlap with the US and Latin America timezones).

#LI-VS1
 

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.
Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.