An accountant, a financial analyst, and a cost estimator walk into a bar. They sit down on the stools at the counter. “What would you like to order?” asks the bartender. The accountant doesn’t answer the question but asks instead, “How much does your beer on tap...
Hey everyone! It’s Halloween week and I believe it is the perfect opportunity to talk about Leadership. First, let me introduce myself. I’m Simona Pappalardo, a former Fortune Top 200 Executive turned Leadership and Career Coach. My company, www.coachingwithSimona.com, is all about helping you navigate the...
As the demand for cost engineers continues to grow, understanding the academic backgrounds that hiring managers seek has become increasingly important. In a recent survey conducted by SPCEA, we explored the educational qualifications preferred by employers when hiring cost engineers. The results offer valuable insights...
The product cost engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient product design, production processes and cost-effective operations within manufacturing settings. Here are ten important skills that I think every product cost engineer should possess: Technical Competence: Understanding product design, manufacturing processes, manufacturing equipment, and technologies...
Cost engineering, a critical aspect of organizational efficiency, manifests itself differently across companies and industries. To delve deeper into this dynamic, SPCEA recently conducted a survey on LinkedIn, aiming to understand where exactly the cost engineering function resides within different organizational structures. The results and...
Becoming a cost engineer typically requires a combination of education, skills development, and practical experience. There are multiple ways to become a cost engineer but here is one step-by-step guide on how you could do it: Obtain a Relevant Degree: Most cost engineers have a bachelor's...
Knowledge is power, but how would you know whether more or new knowledge is needed? What if you were convinced that the knowledge you had was, in fact, the best and only knowledge you needed? Would you refuse to seek new knowledge and resist its...
For those lucky enough to have had careers in the automotive industry, Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) are as common as cars themselves. Most consider them a normal part of doing business. They are meant to provide suppliers with assurances of volumes over the full life of...
There is a certain innocence in numbers. Just like music, they can create a harmony that soothesthe soul. Maybe that’s why some costing professionals don’t stress when performing theircalculations. They put their numbers on the page, and they walk away. No harm, no foul. Theirconscience...
“Those of you familiar with my writings already know my opinion of the accounting concept of depreciation (“the dumbest concept in the history of management accounting”). I’ve been ranting against its use in decision-making since an article of mine on the subject appeared in Management...