[gg2929]

Is there such thing as entry level cost accounting positions, or are they more for people that have accounting experience?

And how will passing the CMA before graduation help with entry staff accounting positions? Not the same material, but does show you are capable of passing a test that is similar to one of the CPA exam sections, BEC. I don’t know if they think like that though. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Most of the cost accounting positions I have seen posted ask for experience, but I'm sure there are those that don't require it. Look at some of the larger manufacturing companies. They have a team of cost accountants I'm sure.

[Anonymous]

Most of the cost accounting positions I have seen posted ask for experience, but I'm sure there are those that don't require it. Look at some of the larger manufacturing companies. They have a team of cost accountants I'm sure.

[How many letters do you need]

I came into a cost accounting position with zero cost accounting experience, some general accounting experience (not much) but lots of finance experience. The trick for me was that they were really looking for somebody who could do a blend of cost accounting and finance, so they overlooked the fact that I had no idea what cost accounting was when I began (I came from a retail background where cost accounting doesn't exist). Generally speaking, cost accounting is such a different type of accounting that even people with a ton of general accounting will find it a somewhat difficult transition. In fact, I would align it more closely to finance because you have to have a firm understanding of variances and be able to analyze operational cost flow, etc…with a few journal entries thrown in.

As for the CMA, I know people have varying opinions on this, but mine is that it has tremendous respect within manufacturing and especially so within cost accounting. If cost is really what you want to do, and have some accounting or finance experience, the CMA could get you into a lower level cost accounting spot since it shows you have the capability to learn. Good luck!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

I came into a cost accounting position with zero cost accounting experience, some general accounting experience (not much) but lots of finance experience. The trick for me was that they were really looking for somebody who could do a blend of cost accounting and finance, so they overlooked the fact that I had no idea what cost accounting was when I began (I came from a retail background where cost accounting doesn't exist). Generally speaking, cost accounting is such a different type of accounting that even people with a ton of general accounting will find it a somewhat difficult transition. In fact, I would align it more closely to finance because you have to have a firm understanding of variances and be able to analyze operational cost flow, etc…with a few journal entries thrown in.

As for the CMA, I know people have varying opinions on this, but mine is that it has tremendous respect within manufacturing and especially so within cost accounting. If cost is really what you want to do, and have some accounting or finance experience, the CMA could get you into a lower level cost accounting spot since it shows you have the capability to learn. Good luck!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Author]

Replies