Cost Analyst Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Who is a Cost analyst in an automobile company? What is the qualification required?what is his role & resp? I got a offer as cost analyst in an automobile company.. basically im an automobile Engineer. is it good to select this offer?? pls i need a serious answers

Answer: Let me try to explain you in following paras. Who is Cost Analyst ? Cost Analyst in any Organisation is a prime part of management that provides the key financial data about Cost of Goods Manufactured/Sold , Expected Profit thereon and related Taxes (Income Tax and/or Sales Tax refund , if any) impacts. what is the qualification of Cost Analyst? The Cost Analyst must be , at least , a financial degree holder or a Certified Public Accountant , Chartered Accountant or Cost and Management Accountant; A cost analyst is one who is very familiar with different ratios and knows the ways of their meaning and techniques of expressing them according to common people thinking level. What is the role of a cost analyst? This is the Cost Analyst who keeps and checks the expenses under proposed budget and forecasts the future profitability by devising the projected balance sheet and profit/(Loss) A/c. What is the responsibility of a cost analyst? Cost Analyst is responsible for reporting on ups & downs in Conversion Costs, General & Administrative Expenses, Selling & Distribution Expenses and Financial Expenses and any fluctuation in thereon or any deviation cost per unit produced. If the automobile industries , where you are currently applying, have a Finance Manager that have some basic knowledge about costing, then don't hesitate and go ahead......

Question: what is cost analyst?

Answer: They are the one whom analyze the organization's cost. Cost analyst should analyze why the cost increase or decrease and at the end direct the organization to improve their profit.

Question: What should be salary of Senior Programmer Analyst in Lebanon? Hi, I have an offer of Senior Programmer Analyst from Lebanon but i don't have any idea about working & living cost in Lebanon (beirut) and also not sure how much should i demand. I am a married person and planning to bring my wife with me too. i have tried to search on web but did not find any good link for information on this.. Please guide me.. Thanks.. Warm Regards, Khurram Shahzad

Answer: Not More Than $150 per week

Question: what you will do if not cost justified to computerized a system but vice president insisted? it's about system analyst in Information system study.And after using feasibility phase i know that to computerized the system will not cost justified.so how? VP insisted that system must be computerized by any way also.i got nothing to do now.i cant figure out any other way.

Answer: Well if I understand you correctly you have discovered that the system is not going to provide an added financial benefit to the company. However the VP is insisting the system be installed anyway. Honestly, you keep track of any correspondence you have with the VP showing that the system will not provide an added financial benefit to the company and then you go ahead and install it. But bear in mind there are other reasons why a system may be installed besides financial. There are also ethical and legal issue that sometimes come into play.

Question: How much does it cost to live in NYC? I am a junior in college hoping to become an financial analyst in NYC. I currently live upstate and I am wondering how much it costs to have a decent life in the city. I know that the prices of apartments in Manhattan and even Hoboken are ridiculous. I would probably live with a roommate, and would like to live comfortably. I also would like to save some money for B-school after working for about 5 years. Assuming the previous criteria, what salary would I have to make to live decently in the area? I would want to live in Hoboken, upper Manhattan?

Answer: a current NY times article stated a studio in Manhattan was going for 2K per month, can live with roommates but their are allot of weirdos in the city then you have the eating part, supermarkets are expensive and so is eating out, can we say 16 for a mix drink, good luck also look a Queens

Question: How dramatic is the cost of living in relation to salary in Charleston, SC? So thank you to those of you who suggested I live in Charleston, SC..I've been searching for apts and love what I'm seeing. I love that the cost of living is cheaper down there. The problem is my old boss told me that so are the salaries. I was expecting if I make 34k now maybe I would have to settle for a job at like 30/31k, but he is telling me that it's a much bigger difference in salaries. I don't know exactly what I want to do yet but I'm 24 and am working as a real estate research analyst, and I used to be in finances/banking. I don't want to do a hospitality type job- I want a career- but I want to make sure those type positions exist and that they still pay at least mid 30s (my ex boss said a job that pays 34K here is probably like 22K there...Sounds like a HUGE difference to me!) Advice anyone? Is this so true about salaries there? Is it that dramatic? And are there "real" jobs as in CAREERS in Charleston, SC (other than call centers and secretaries)? HELP!! PS. I forgot to mention I live in Baltimore/Towson MD right now. A 2BR 2Bath apt runs about 1050 for the cheap end. From what I've seen in Charleston they're about 750-850 for a decent 2BR 2 Bath. I would be moving with a roommate in mid-end Jan 08.

Answer: It's according to where you move to in the Charleston Area. Charleston downtown, Mt. Pleasant will run a little higher in rent. Summerville, Goose Creek, West Ashley, and North Charleston will be a little cheaper. Yes, your salary may go down but I think you will be fine. Also, if you are splitting the rent with a roommate I know you will be fine as long as you know how to budget your money. Good luck. It is such a nice place to live, I love living here. So close to shopping, beaches, restaurants, and southern hospitality. What else could you ask for. Good luck.

Question: I'm an analyst in need...Which is overall more cost efficient for a consumer, diesel or gas? I will be communting over 35 miles this summer and I live in FL where the gas prices are skyrocketing. I plan to buy a smaller car to help ease the gas price increases, but which one is going to save me money overall...diesel or gas? I know deisel is more expansive but it is more fuel efficient and less costs on maintance. It is very smelly and noisy. Gas is cheaper then diesel but you dont worry about the smell or noise. In the same token, is increasing in costs by the day. My father, who is a car salesmen, recommends I wait for the 2008/2009 diesel WV Jetter. I'm hearing good things about the 2008 Smart Fortwo as well. Does anyone know of any recent study conducted to see which one is overall more cost effective for the consumer? I am not looking for anything flashy, just a good communter car. Sugestions? Whcih one would be more cost effiecient for me the 2008 WV diesel Jetta or 2008 smart fortwo? I'm not hauling anything, but myself

Answer: In the long run, you will be better off with the diesel. While the cost of fuel is more, and the initial outlay may be a little more, the longevity of the vehicle, lower amount of maintenance, and better fuel efficiency will win. That is, of course, if you are comparing apples to apples. A Jetta as compared to a Malibu. All this I know from experience. I know of no studies. I have owned several diesel vehicles, including VW and Mercedes. I prefer them to gas, but they are harder to find at this time. I think that will change soon, as the manufacturers seem to be now hearing the call of those of us who prefer diesel. As for suggestions, I wouldn't buy new right now. Find a little old lady that wants to sell her Mercedes 300D. Not only will you ride in style, you will save money doing it. I have seen a 300D go to 550k+ miles without any internal engine work. Change the oil, run the valves, and you're good to go.

Question: How to Calculate Weighted Average Cost of Capital for Company operating in 2 countries? Say, for example, we have a company that operates in two countries (A & B). Country A: Computed Weighted Average Cost of Capital is: 10% Market Value Cost of Capital: $10,000* Country B: Computed Weighted Average Cost of Capital is: 12% Market Value Cost of Capital: $10,000* * The weight distribution of all sources of capital used to compute the Market Value Cost of Capital in each country is identical. The total Market Value Cost of Capital is identical in both countries as well. Any suggestions on the approach analysts typicaly use to compute the the overall company weighted average cost of capital would be greatly appreciated. Serious replies only please.

Answer: The answer is 11% because capital allocation is equal. However, this is purely a classroom exercise that is not commonly used in the real world. I have seen attempts to put businesses into different WACC pools. That's fine and good that different projects should return different projects. If you're doing great if you're making 10% ROIC in the US, but you wouldn't be recouping the cost of capital if you only got 10% in Nigeria. That's not the issue. The issue is more on the financing side. For public companies, WACC is calculated using market weighted cost of capital for debt and equity. Equity is calculated using the CAPM formula, which uses the "beta" for the stock. The stock's beta will have already included the intrinsic risk of the operations in another country. In the example that you provided, the WACC for country A may be 10% - but how can you get to that? You'd have to fudge the beta downward to get the cost of equity. And how do you know how much to fudge downward. The country may be lower risk, but how much lower risk. Also, how do you calculate the industry risk. It's one thing to operate a utility, but what about a gold mine? The bottom line is that you've now made multiple assumptions on your WACC and it's starting to be "made up". The second thing is that financing is not necessarily always in discreet pools. Sure, you can raise debt to be associated with specific projects - that's easy. But what about the equity. You've raised a pool of equity - let's say $100m. So if you keep it in a Country A account earmarked for the Country B, it's worth less value because the project has a higher WACC? That's not right. Or Project B pays a dividend to Project A and the same dollar suddenly becomes more valuable because of the transfer into a lower WACC holding company? Nope. Generally you only have 1 WACC per company.

Question: how much should i be making at a market research analyst in arlington, va or DC metro area? I got a job offer for 50,000, but I think the cost of living is not cheaip in that area (its like nyc). so if I want to negotiate salary, what should I try to get. I tried to ask for 55, but the supervisor said that wasn't possible but at the end of the year they do performance evals. Should I try to shoot for something between 50 and 55?

Answer: Try this..... http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/salary It will tell you what the average rate is for that position in that area.

Question: does anybody else feel analyst miss the boat when they say gas prices arent affecting people much? when i think about the xtra i pay at the pump,yes im affected, but the collateral damages in the rise of food prices,services and delivered goods is way more the real cost passed on to consumer. we cant write it off as expense we just have to cut things out ,or eat less healthier,or sell our homes etc.,to make it

Answer: Yes you are right gas prices are hitting historic highs, but it is not effecting anyone. That is why we are seeing high foreclosures, more people in line at the food banks and retail stores are struggling to hang on. But No we are in better shape now than ever. You know I am getting really P#ssed off by people telling me that the liberal media is mind washing me. I have a freaking brain and you know what I do not have to watch the news I am freaking living it. People are so scared that the current President might actually be to blame so you blame everyone except the people that are truly to blame. And if anyone feels the need to call me a liberal because I believe this country is one stock market away from a melt down just an FYI I am a Christian Conservative that realizes the White House is not worried about America

Question: Where is this "demand for gas" analyst keep talking about? You hear it all over the news, demand exceeds supply. But where exactly is the demand? Have our driving habits changed so dramatically in the past twenty years that fuel prices are three times the cost as during the first Gulf War?

Answer: it's funny they say demand exceeds supply. yet we NEVER run out.. vote against those anti refinery anti drilling politicians that have created this monopoly oil prices are down world wide .. gas is high

Question: You are a financial analyst for an oil company due to recent developments,? there is an 80% chance of high oil prices with a cash inflow of $70m & a 20% chance of low oil prices & the cash inflow would -$5m the fixed cost with the abandonment option what is the expected cash inflow?

Answer: This sound like homework. I don't think anyone here will do it for you.

Question: how do I conclude the expect revenue, cost of goods sold..? Please help me. i am an accounting student, my teacher let us conlude the expect revenue, cost of goods sold, operating expense and net income for the next year for a company like comapbell's soup Inc. It is NOT allowed based on management or analyst projection , make my own decision. What resources can I refer to? please advice, thanks a lot.

Answer: Same As Last Year is usually not too far off. Perhaps you can look at the last 5 years' financial statements and see the trend from year to year. Then guess that next year will continue in the same way.

Question: i got offer in saudi as programmer analyst iam paid 6000 riyal,accomadation and travel will be provided? will i be save money and in future will i get opportunity to step into UK or australia please help me out.. regarding the pay,living cost..and about saudi-riyadh

Answer: I think you can make good savings espcially of accomodation is taking care of. of course that depneds on your spending happits. Fodd might cost you SR20 a day. and the rest prices are reasonable.

Question: I wd like to know the cost of living in glasgow in exact numbers for a family of two with a 16 month old kid.? My husband has been offered with a permanent position in Glasgow,(he is a Snr risk analyst) n v have a 16 month old kid.i wd like to know the average cost of a two bedroom house+council tax.ultility bills,transportation,modes,cable,internet,telephone n mobile and all basic expenses.,indian grocereis for a month(very nl consumption).it wd b grateful if anyone can give approximately close numbers so that v cd negotitat the pacakage?Is the council tax paid monthly or yearly,the income tax wd b deducted monthly by the employer or paid at the end of a financial year?

Answer: I doubt you will get the answer you want on here, every family is different so how can you expect anyone to give you the EXACT NUMBER about gas,electricity,phone bills etc, food bills depends on how much you eat. Try asking the question again but more realistically.

Question: Forecasting for Financial Analyst? What's the most common way used by financial analysts to forecast revenues and costs?

Answer: Getting the history of the company and measure it against managements views for the future.