Sr. Cost Accountant

Sr. Cost Accountant

Johnson Service Group is looking for a Sr. Cost Accountant with 5 years' experience working in an Aerospace or Manufacturing environment. This is a Direct job for an Aircraft company in Oxnard, CA. Pay Rate: $140K

Job Description

Works with minimal supervision to maintain the cost accounting system and ensure compliance with CAS, ASC 606 revenue recognition, GAAP, and company policies. Owns month-end and quarter-end close processes related to inventory, cost of sales, and revenue recognition, including preparation of journal entries, reconciliations, and reporting. Performs inventory audits and cycle counts, analyzes cost variances, maintains standard costs, and ensures adherence to PTI SOX requirements.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Supervise, mentor, and develop 23 Cost Accountants and Cost Estimators, with a focus on building foundational and advanced skills in government cost accounting and estimating.
• Lead month-end and quarter-end close activities for inventory, cost of sales, and related revenue recognition accounts, including preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting analysis.
• Prepare and record revenue recognition entries in accordance with ASC 606; maintain complete and audit-ready supporting documentation.
• Maintain cost accounting configuration and standard cost structures within Oracle ERP; research, identify, and resolve system discrepancies impacting inventory valuation and cost of sales reporting.
• Develop and maintain standard costs in Oracle; analyze and investigate manufacturing variances, purchase price variance (PPV), and other cost variances, providing detailed explanations and recommending corrective actions.
• Prepare and analyze gross margin reports by product line and business segment; communicate financial drivers and trends to management.
• Support and participate in physical inventory and cycle counts; perform inventory reconciliations and variance analysis.
• Conduct WIP audits; prepare summary findings and recommend process improvements to improve inventory accuracy and cost control.
• Analyze inventory valuation, excess and obsolete reserves, and recommend adjustments as necessary to ensure proper financial reporting.
• Perform labor and overhead rate impact analysis in support of costing, pricing, and operational decision-making.
• Execute and document SOX controls related to inventory, standard cost, and revenue recognition to ensure compliance with internal control requirements.
• Provide internal and external audit support, including preparation of schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Possess and apply working knowledge of the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (TINA) requirements to support proposal development, including identification, accumulation, and certification of cost or pricing data for government bids and negotiations.
• Ensure cost estimates, supporting schedules, and pricing documentation comply with TINA, FAR Part 15, and applicable Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
• Serve as a subject-matter resource for the organization on CAS interpretation, application, and disclosure, including consistency in estimating, accumulating, and reporting costs.
• Support the development, maintenance, and periodic review of CAS-compliant cost structures, including indirect rate methodologies, allocation bases, and cost pools.
• Partner with Finance, Contracts, and Program Management to support forward pricing rates, proposals, and audit readiness related to CAS and certified cost or pricing data.
• Assist with internal and external audits related to CAS compliance, TINA certifications, DCAA inquiries, and government pricing reviews, providing accurate and well-supported responses.
• Support R&D tax credit documentation and other tax department requests as needed.
• Support management with monthly reporting requirements, financial analysis, and ad hoc requests.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings; support implementation efforts to enhance financial performance and operational efficiency.
• Generate and maintain desktop procedures and process documentation.
• Apply corporate financial policies, CAS requirements, GAAP, and accounting standards to ensure compliance and accurate reporting.
• Provide backup support within the Finance department, including Accounts Payable, Financial Planning, Cost Estimating, and Accounts Receivable, as needed.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; equivalent combination of education and relevant cost accounting experience may be considered. Seven to ten years of progressive cost accounting experience. Minimum five years of experience in a manufacturing environment. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats with cross-functional stakeholders and management. Strong quantitative aptitude, including the ability to perform detailed financial calculations, variance analysis, reconciliations, and interpret statistical and cost data with accuracy. Demonstrated experience owning or leading month-end close processes related to inventory and cost of sales. Experience in aerospace or government contracting environment with exposure to CAS requirements. Expert knowledge of GAAP and inventory accounting principles. Experience with ERP systems (Oracle preferred) and strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Experience performing account reconciliations, journal entries, and variance analysis. Proficient knowledge of internal controls and SOX compliance requirements. Familiarity with ASC 606 revenue recognition standards. Experience with standard cost development and maintenance. Experience supporting internal and external audits. Exposure to rate development, cost estimating, or pricing support.

Skills and Competencies

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to financial accuracy and detail. Expert understanding of cost accounting principles, inventory valuation, and variance analysis. Ability to interpret and apply GAAP, CAS (if applicable), and company policies. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis). Strong organizational skills with ability to manage deadlines and multiple priorities during close cycles. Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to clearly explain financial results to cross-functional stakeholders. Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment. Proficiency in ERP systems (Oracle preferred), including maintenance of cost-related master data, transaction review, reporting, and troubleshooting discrepancies impacting inventory and cost of sales. Process-improvement mindset with focus on efficiency and internal control compliance.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk. Regularly required to talk and hear. Occasionally required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and operate office equipment. Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Required to have close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in a combination of office and manufacturing/production environments. The employee is regularly exposed to typical manufacturing conditions, including moving mechanical parts. The employee may occasionally be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, noise, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when in production areas.

Johnson Service Group (JSG) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. JSG provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.