Cost Accounting Manager

Position Summary

Cost Accounting Manager is responsible for leading cost accounting, inventory valuation, and operational financial analysis across multiple paper packaging manufacturing facilities. The role develops, maintains, and improves product costing methodologies within a complex manufacturing environment.

This position is on site 5 days per week in our Whitby, ON location and operates across multi-site locations in Canada and the USA, dealing with a diverse product portfolio, high SKU counts, independent machine-based production, and significant raw material, WIP, and finished goods inventories. The role requires familiarity with cross‑border, multi‑currency operations. The successful candidate will partner extensively with Operations, Supply Chain, Plant Management, and Finance leadership to deliver accurate costing, robust inventory controls, financial reporting, and critical decision‑support analysis to drive profitability and operational performance.

Cost Accounting & Product Costing

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve standard costing methodologies for a diverse portfolio of paper packaging products.
• Analyze machine‑level production costs, including labor, materials, waste, machine utilization, setup costs, and overhead absorption.
• Establish and monitor cost drivers appropriate for machine‑based manufacturing operations.
• Review and update standards for raw materials, labor rates, machine rates, and overhead allocations.
• Conduct monthly cost rollups and transfer pricing; maintain product cost accuracy across all facilities.
• Analyze manufacturing variances including material usage, labor efficiency, machine efficiency, waste, yield, and overhead variances.
• Provide detailed profitability analysis by product, customer, and facility.
• Support intercompany transfer pricing and cross‑border costing mechanics between Canadian and US operations.

Inventory Control & Valuation

• Manage inventory accounting processes for raw materials, work‑in‑process, and finished goods across multiple locations.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation in accordance with company policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Lead monthly inventory reconciliations and investigate inventory discrepancies.
• Oversee cycle count programs and support physical inventory processes.
• Partner with operations teams to improve inventory accuracy and strengthen inventory controls.
• Monitor inventory reserves, obsolescence, slow‑moving inventory, and scrap reporting.

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare and analyze monthly manufacturing financial results and key performance indicators.
• Support month‑end and year‑end closing activities related to inventory and manufacturing costs.
• Develop management reports highlighting cost trends, operational performance, and opportunities for improvement.
• Perform ad hoc financial modeling and operational analyses to support strategic decision‑making.
• Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting.

Systems, Data Analytics & Process Improvement

• Manage large volumes of operational and financial data from ERP and manufacturing systems.
• Design and maintain automated reporting, dashboards, and analytical tools.
• Improve costing models, reporting processes, and data integrity controls.
• Collaborate with IT and operations teams to enhance data collection and reporting capabilities.
• Support ERP implementations, upgrades, and process improvement initiatives.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal controls, and company policies across both Canadian and US operations.
• Support internal and external audits related to inventory and cost accounting.
• Maintain awareness of customs, duty, and landed cost treatment as it affects inventory valuation.
• Develop and maintain documentation for costing methodologies and inventory control procedures.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that strengthen financial controls and operational efficiency.

Key Success Metrics

• Improve accuracy and transparency of product costing.
• Strengthen inventory controls and inventory valuation processes.
• Deliver timely and reliable cost and operational reporting.
• Provide actionable insights that improve manufacturing efficiency and profitability.
• Establish scalable costing and reporting processes capable of supporting continued growth and product complexity.

Requirements

What we’re looking for in a candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• CPA, CMA, CPA‑CMA, or equivalent professional designation preferred.
• 5–10+ years of progressive experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in paper, packaging, converting, printing, or other process/manufacturing industries is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting multi‑site manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated experience with inventory accounting, inventory controls, and standard costing systems.
• Experience with cross‑border or multi‑currency operations (Canadian and US), including intercompany costing and transfer pricing.
• Experience working with high‑volume transactional data and large product portfolios.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting principles.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis tools.
• Experience with ERP systems such as AS400 or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with customs duties, tariffs, and landed cost accounting as they affect inventory valuation.
• Experience using AI‑enabled tools to analyze large datasets, identify trends, automate repetitive tasks, enhance forecasting accuracy, and streamline financial processes.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to translate large datasets into actionable business insights.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Strong business partnering and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple facilities and cross‑functional teams.
• Self‑motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfortable managing shifting priorities and ambiguity in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Capable of balancing strategic analysis with hands‑on operational support.

Compensation

$100,000 - $120,000 annually with an additional 10% annual bonus target. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position. ACR reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. ACR offers a competitive total rewards package inclusive of health and financial wellness benefits, fringe benefits, paid time off, and an annual bonus program.

EEO Statement

ACR is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

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