Sr. Cost Accountant in San Diego, California

Senior Cost Accountant

The Senior Cost Accountant is responsible for analyzing and managing product costs, inventory accounting, and financial reporting within a manufacturing environment. This role requires strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to translate detailed financial information into actionable business insights. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cost accounting, inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, and process improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain standard costs, including labor and overhead rates.
• Analyze product and project costs, including material variances, labor efficiencies, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Perform inventory reconciliations and support physical inventory counts.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities, including preparation of journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Prepare and analyze budgets, forecasts, and financial variances.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement effective financial controls.
• Assist in the preparation of financial statements and management reports.
• Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and analysis.
• Monitor inventory valuation, cost allocations, and manufacturing cost trends.
• Collaborate with operations and production teams to improve financial performance and cost efficiency.
• Participate in special projects and other accounting-related initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Equipment Used

• Personal computer
• General office equipment
• ERP and accounting software systems

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.

Experience

• 5 to 10+ years of cost accounting and financial analysis experience.
• Manufacturing industry experience required.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory accounting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• High-volume manufacturing cost accounting experience strongly preferred.

Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and financial modeling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Bilingual English and Spanish preferred.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based environment with occasional visits to manufacturing and warehouse areas.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.

Supervision of Others

• None

Financial Responsibilities

• Support inventory valuation and cost controls.
• Assist with financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
• Monitor and analyze cost variances and manufacturing performance metrics.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.