Manager, Cost Accounting

As a Cost Accounting Manager at Kairos Power, your primary responsibilities include overseeing cost accounting functions, implementing costing methodologies across multiple product lines, and ensuring compliance with internal controls and regulatory requirements. You'll be actively involved in month-end close procedures, financial reporting, and analysis of inventory and cost of goods sold, underpinning our commitment to accurate financial performance.

To qualify for the Cost Accounting Manager role at Kairos Power, candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, with CPA or CMA certification being highly desirable. Furthermore, 7+ years of progressive experience in cost accounting within a manufacturing environment is essential, alongside strong analytical skills and proficiency in ERP systems.

The Cost Accounting Manager position at Kairos Power offers a flexible hybrid work environment, allowing team members to work remotely and on-site in either Alameda, CA, or Albuquerque, NM. You'll be part of a dynamic team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovative problem-solving, all while contributing to a clean energy future.

In the Cost Accounting Manager role at Kairos Power, you will play a crucial part in financial reporting. This includes preparing and reviewing journal entries, conducting detailed inventory analysis, and generating key financial reports. Your insight will support strategic decision-making at all levels of the organization.

As a Cost Accounting Manager at Kairos Power, you will have multiple opportunities for professional growth and development. The organization encourages ongoing education and training in the latest cost accounting practices. Additionally, your role in identifying improvements and innovative practices can pave the way for career advancement within the company.

When answering this question, highlight your past roles in financial reporting, detailing the procedures you followed, and any specific metrics you tracked. Discuss your familiarity with ERP systems and how you successfully contributed to month-end close processes.

Discuss your methodology for cost estimation and budgeting, emphasizing how you analyze data and collaborate with other departments. Provide examples where your estimations resulted in cost savings or better resource allocation.

In your response, highlight different costing methodologies you've used and explain why you favor them based on the manufacturing context. Providing insight into how these methodologies drive decisions could set a strong impression.

This is your chance to showcase your analytical thinking. Describe the situation, the steps you took to analyze costs, and the recommendations you implemented, ensuring you mention the tangible benefits realized.

Discuss your approach to compliance, including any specific processes you’ve established in previous roles to ensure adherence. Share examples of how you have trained staff and how you monitor compliance.

Detail any ERP projects you've led or contributed to, focusing on your specific role in the implementation, any challenges you faced, and how you overcame them while ensuring that the modules suited cost accounting needs.

Your answer should demonstrate strong communication skills. Explain how you simplify complex data and present it visually or in a narrative that highlights key insights relevant to your audience.

This is an opportunity to show your commitment to ongoing education. Discuss any courses, webinars, or professional organizations you engage with, and how you implement new knowledge within your team.

Explain your organizational strategies and how you prioritize tasks. Provide an example of a time you successfully met a deadline under pressure, emphasizing teamwork and communication.

Discuss specific KPIs that you've tracked in past roles, how you analyzed this data to inform decisions, and the impact of these actions on cost management and operational efficiency.