Also called: Management Accountant
Figures out exactly how much it costs to make each product so companies can price and profit.
You walk the factory floor to understand how a part is made, then calculate the cost of materials, labor and machine time per unit.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in accounting; CMA certification.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Accounting.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Tracks accountants.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. ERP systems and AI now calculate product costs and variances automatically; fewer cost accountants are needed, mainly to interpret.
Classes: Accounting, Algebra II, Manufacturing CTE, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 13-2011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.