Internship report: Standard Cost and Variance Analysis in EssilorLuxottica

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and explore in depth the role of the Standard Cost Controller, with a focus on standard costing and variance analysis, drawing on the professional experience gained during an internship at EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the eyewear industry. The report is divided into three main chapters. The first one provides a general overview of the company, with a brief history and a description of EssilorLuxottica’s business model, to give a clearer picture of the organizational and strategic context of the internship. The chapter also introduces the concept of controlling, with a particular focus on financial controlling and operations controlling. The second chapter focuses on standard costs, first introducing them from a theoretical perspective and then examining how this type of cost is implemented within the company. It then moves on to variance analysis, explaining its nature, purpose, and calculation methods. The chapter concludes with an overview of the Industrial Operating Cost (COI), which illustrates how variances are applied within the Group to generate insights that support business decision-making. Finally, the third chapter presents the core activities carried out during the internship and offers a reflection on the outcomes achieved. It highlights both the contribution made to the team’s work and the skills and knowledge developed over the course of the experience.