Cost Accountant

Job Title Cost Accountant Rate Range $95-120k/year Position Summary This position supports the Engineering and District Operations teams in the development, analysis, and ongoing management of the Company’s Capital Budget. The role independently performs budgeting, reporting, and data analysis functions across multiple systems and supports regulatory, financial, and operational decision-making. This is a journey-level position within the technical classification series and requires the ability to work with limited supervision while exercising independent judgment within established policies and procedures. Essential Functions Independently develop, maintain, and track capital project budgets using financial and project management systems. Perform budget analysis including variance analysis (planned vs. actual vs. approved) and identification of data discrepancies. Review and approve funding projects and work orders in accordance with established capital budgeting guidelines. Compile annual budgets, develop financial reports, and support forecasting of capital program spending. Prepare graphs, dashboards, and summary materials to communicate budget status, trends, and risks to management. Support regulatory activities including budget adjustments, documentation, and data requests associated with General Rate Case filings. Perform quality control and validation of capital project and budget data across systems to ensure accuracy and consistency. Provide guidance and training to engineers and district staff on capital budget processes, tools, and requirements. Coordinate with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Accounting, IT, and District staff) to resolve data issues and improve data quality. Track and implement budget changes resulting from regulatory decisions, project updates, and internal approvals. Maintain documentation of budgeting processes, procedures, and data standards. Identify opportunities for process improvements and recommend enhancements to budgeting, reporting, and data management workflows. Performs work on site in assigned office location. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED equivalent. Valid California Class C Driver’s License. Additional education or related technical experience in budgeting, finance, engineering support, or project controls. Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, structured tables, data analysis). Experience using financial, project management, or data management systems. Ability to independently prioritize and manage work across multiple assignments. Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate data records. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Preferred / Desirable Qualifications Experience & Domain Knowledge 3+ years of experience supporting capital budgeting, project controls, cost estimating, or financial analysis. Experience working with capital infrastructure programs, construction projects, or regulated utility environments. Familiarity with General Rate Case processes, regulatory filings, or large-scale capital program management. Understanding of capital project lifecycle (planning, estimating, execution, closeout). Technical / Systems Skills Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data modeling, error-checking techniques). Experience with enterprise systems such as: PowerPlan Microsoft Project or similar project management system Power BI or other reporting/visualization tools Ability to work across multiple data sources and reconcile inconsistencies between systems. Analytical & Process Skills Ability to analyze large datasets and identify trends, anomalies, and risks. Experience developing reports, dashboards, or data visualizations for decision-making. Familiarity with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis concepts. Experience participating in or supporting process improvement initiatives. Understanding of data quality, validation, and governance principles. Advanced Capability Signals Experience developing or improving budgeting or reporting processes. Experience training or supporting end-users on financial or project systems. Ability to translate technical and financial data into actionable insights for stakeholders. Exposure to integrated data environments (finance + project management + reporting). Working knowledge of capital portfolio or program-level reporting concepts. Benefits Summary Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching. #J-18808-Ljbffr