Senior Cost Accountant

Description We are looking for an experienced Senior Cost Accountant to join a manufacturing finance team in Livermore, California. This position supports a global organization serving the semiconductor and advanced technology sectors, with a strong focus on cost accuracy, inventory valuation, and financial insight for production activities. The role works closely with operations and finance partners to strengthen reporting, support close activities, and improve visibility into manufacturing performance.

Responsibilities:

- Lead the maintenance and refinement of standard cost models for materials, labor, and overhead to support accurate product costing.

- Oversee inventory valuation for raw materials, work in process, and finished goods, ensuring financial records reflect operational activity accurately.

- Complete month-end cost accounting tasks, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and close-related analysis.

- Review manufacturing results by analyzing production variances, purchase price fluctuations, and work order performance to identify key cost drivers.

- Collaborate with operations teams to evaluate plant performance, interpret financial trends, and support informed business decisions.

- Assess inventory exposure by identifying slow-moving, excess, or obsolete stock and contributing to reserve calculations.

- Support budgeting and forecasting for cost of goods sold, manufacturing expenses, and other plant-related financial measures.

- Participate in physical inventory activities, audit preparation, and internal control reviews while helping improve cost accounting and inventory processes, including transition support and knowledge transfer where needed. Requirements - At least 5 years of progressive experience in cost accounting within a standard cost manufacturing environment.

- Strong knowledge of inventory accounting, standard costing principles, and manufacturing finance analysis.

- Experience preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and supporting monthly financial close activities.

- Ability to evaluate production variances, cost trends, and operational performance in a high-volume setting.

- Proficiency with ERP systems, with Oracle Net Suite experience strongly preferred.

- Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical ability for financial modeling and reporting.

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.

- Effective communication skills with the ability to work across finance and operations teams in a fast-paced environment.

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit  for more information.

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