Accounting Analyst

Senior Cost Accountant

Manufacturing Finance | ERP Transformation | Process Improvement

Ready to take your manufacturing accounting experience to the next level? Join a global manufacturing organization where you'll play a key role in cost accounting, inventory analysis, financial reporting, and ERP transformation initiatives. This is a highly visible opportunity to partner with Finance, Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain leaders while helping drive profitability, improve processes, and influence business decisions.

If you enjoy digging into manufacturing data, analyzing variances, solving complex accounting challenges, and improving the way organizations operate, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

Cost Accounting & Financial Analysis

• Analyze cost of goods sold (COGS), manufacturing variances, and gross margin performance
• Support inventory accounting activities and ensure accurate financial reporting
• Analyze duties, freight accruals, excess and obsolete inventory reserves, and other manufacturing-related accounting activities
• Assess the financial impact of manufacturing transactions and operational decisions

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and balance sheet analyses
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities
• Research and resolve accounting discrepancies and reconciling items
• Maintain accurate supporting schedules and documentation

ERP & Process Improvement

• Participate in a major ERP upgrade, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and validation efforts
• Support system improvements, process enhancements, and accounting automation initiatives
• Help strengthen internal controls, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency
• Recommend and implement improvements to existing accounting workflows

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance teams to support decision-making
• Communicate financial results, trends, and variances to business partners and leadership
• Support compliance with US GAAP and SOX requirements
• Assist with audit requests and ongoing compliance initiatives

What We're Looking For

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

8+ years of accounting experience

Strong cost accounting and manufacturing accounting experience

Month-end close experience including:

• Journal entries
• Account reconciliations
• Balance sheet analysis
• Financial reporting

Understanding of:

• Inventory accounting
• Manufacturing variances
• Gross margin analysis
• COGS analysis

Knowledge of US GAAP and SOX controls

Advanced Excel skills

Strong communication and analytical abilities

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

CPA preferred but not required

SAP or similar ERP experience

ERP implementation or upgrade experience

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) experience

Experience with E&O reserve analysis, freight accruals, and inventory controls

Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $47.50 - $59.25/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in San Diego, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 8, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.