Sr. Cost Accountant

Summary

The Senior Cost Accountant is a hands-on accounting professional responsible for the integrity of inventory, manufacturing cost, and cost-of-goods-sold accounting. The person in this role is accountable cost accounting processes, including work order closure, standard costing, inventory reconciliation, and variance analysis. Working independently within Microsoft Dynamics 365, the successful candidate traces transactions through inventory and manufacturing subledgers, identifies anomalies, determines root cause, and implements practical adjustments to our methodology. Reporting to the CAO, this roles works closely with Operations and Finance to proactively escalates issues to leadership and close the books accurately and on time. The stretch opportunity for this role is to provide operational planning, cost modeling, and product-profitability analysis based on proven success with core responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Manufacturing Cost Accounting and Close (30%): Own the accuracy and timeliness of manufacturing cost accounting through the weekly, monthly, and quarterly close, including work order review, inventory and cost of goods sold, manufacturing variances, and subledger-to-general ledger reconciliations.

Standard Costing (20%): Support, and over time take ownership of, the standard cost process, ensuring product and item costs reflect current material, labor, overhead, and manufacturing performance in the ERP.

Inventory Accounting and Controls (10%): Lead accounting support for physical inventories, cycle counts, and inventory reserves (including excess and obsolete), and monitor inventory balances to surface potential financial reporting implications.

Variance and Cost Analysis (10%): Analyze manufacturing and product cost variances to identify their operational and accounting drivers, and translate those findings into clear, decision-useful insights.

Issue Resolution and Process Improvement (10%): Proactively identify and root-cause accounting, systems, data, and process issues across the ERP and general ledger; implement sustainable solutions and escalate significant items with clear financial impact and recommended actions.

Compliance and Audit Support (10%): Serve as SOX business process owner for assigned inventory and manufacturing controls and support external audits and SEC reporting as needed.

Cross-Functional Partnership (5%): Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance leaders to resolve item master, bill-of-material, routing, and transaction issues affecting cost, and support margin, forecast, and annual operating plan analyses.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Required Skills and Abilities

Highly motivated, self-starter who manages projects end-to-end and has a demonstrated track record of getting results, organization, and prioritizing deadlines.

Thorough, technical knowledge of cost accounting principles and how these relate to the Financial Statements (i.e. income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statements).

Solid understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Demonstrated ability to navigate and investigate transactions directly within an ERP inventory or manufacturing module (e.g., work orders, item costs, inventory transactions).

Ability to build good working relationships and collaborate effectively across all stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to independently identify cost and inventory anomalies, distinguish symptoms from underlying root causes, and design and implement practical, sustainable process improvements.

Highly reliable and proactive, with consistent ownership and follow-through — managing open items, meeting close deadlines, and escalating issues and risks in real time rather than waiting to be asked.

Exceptional analytical ability with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, comfortable working hands-on within ERP and inventory transactions and not solely in spreadsheets.

Financial modeling experience is a plus but is not a substitute for core cost accounting expertise.

Experience streamlining manual processes and implementing automation, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex issues in a simple manner.

Demonstrates grace under pressure with a good sense of humor and dose of humility.

Familiarity with SOX requirements advantageous

Education and Experience

Required

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

Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including substantial hands-on responsibility for cost accounting and inventory in a manufacturing environment.

Direct, hands-on experience using inventory and manufacturing functionality within an ERP system.

Experience owning core cost accounting activities during the monthly and quarterly close.

Preferred

Hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 inventory, manufacturing, and costing modules, including the ability to research work orders, inventory transactions, item costs, and subledger-to-general-ledger differences.

Sage Intacct experience.

Public company or SOX-controlled environment experience.

Biotech, medical device, diagnostics, or another regulated manufacturing industry experience.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.

Experience building forecasts, operating plans, product-cost models, or business cases.

Experience supporting product profitability and gross-margin improvement analysis.

MBA or other advanced degree in Accounting or Finance.

Additional Requirements

Work Location: San Diego, CA

Travel Requirements:

Up to 10% of domestic travel time expected

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Sit and stand for prolonged periods

Repeating motions that may include the hands, wrists and/or fingers

Use of hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms

Stand and/or move about the office or in various environments (including tight and confined spaces), or from one worksite to another

Specific visual abilities, including close vision and ability to adjust focus, read, review, and assess the accuracy and thoroughness of the work assigned

Verbal abilities require communicating with others to exchange information

Occasionally adjusting or moving objects up to 20 pounds in all directions

Work environment involving low/high temperatures; hazardous conditions, low ventilation, noisy environments, small/enclosed spaces

In-person interaction with others indoors and outdoors

Use standard computer, telephone and related equipment for communication, and recordkeeping

Able to travel, including potential international travel, without personal assistance

The above physical requirements and work environment characteristics generally reflect those of this position but is not an exhaustive list. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, provided that such accommodation does not impose an undue hardship on the Company.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description generally reflects management’s assignment of essential functions but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position, and it does not limit or restrict the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time. The duties, responsibilities and job description of this role are subject to change at any time without notice.