Accounting Specialist

Accounting Specialist

Applied Composites (AC) is seeking an Accounting Specialist to join our Finance team at our aerospace manufacturing facility in Brea, California.

The Accounting Specialist is responsible for accurate and timely accounts receivable (AR) invoicing and accounts payable (AP) transaction processing. This position ensures customer invoices comply with contractual and purchase order requirements while vendor invoices are properly reviewed, matched, coded, and processed in accordance with company policies and internal controls.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and experienced in a manufacturing accounting environment, with knowledge of purchase orders, receiving documentation, inventory transactions, and three-way matching. This position works closely with Purchasing, Receiving, Shipping, Production, and other departments to resolve discrepancies and maintain accurate financial records.

Come and join the Applied Composites team. We are a leading provider of complex composite components, assemblies, engineering and tooling to the aerospace, defense and space system markets. Our employees are treated with respect and given the support, knowledge and resources they need to thrive. If you are looking for a company that values and develops its employees while offering engaging work, Applied Composites may be the place for you.

Job Accountabilities

• Prepare, review, and process daily customer invoices, ensuring accuracy and compliance with purchase orders, contractual terms, shipment documentation, and customer-specific billing requirements.
• Verify pricing, quantities, sales orders, and supporting documentation before submitting customer invoices.
• Coordinate with Shipping, Program Management, and Operations to resolve billing discrepancies, rejected invoices, and billing holds.
• Prepare credit memos, debit memos, and invoice adjustments with appropriate authorization.
• Receive, review, code, and process vendor invoices accurately and within established deadlines.
• Perform three-way matching of vendor invoices against purchase orders and receiving documentation to verify pricing, quantities, and receipt of goods or services.
• Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies involving pricing, quantities, freight, taxes, duplicate invoices, and missing receiving transactions.
• Coordinate with Purchasing, Receiving, and department managers to resolve invoice exceptions and obtain necessary approvals.
• Verify general ledger coding, departmental allocations, and applicable project or job references.
• Maintain accurate customer and vendor accounting records, including invoices, supporting documentation, and transaction histories.
• Assist with customer account and vendor statement reconciliations, investigating discrepancies and outstanding balances.
• Support month-end closing activities, including invoice cutoff, accrual support, and AP/AR reconciliations.
• Research inventory-related invoice discrepancies, purchase price variances, and receiving errors within the manufacturing ERP system.
• Ensure accounting transactions are recorded accurately and in the appropriate accounting period.
• Support internal and external audits by retrieving invoices, purchase orders, receiving records, and supporting documentation.
• Follow established accounting policies, approval procedures, and internal controls to maintain accurate financial records.
• Identify opportunities to improve transaction accuracy, processing efficiency, and accounting procedures.
• Perform other accounting and administrative duties as assigned.

Job Specifications

Education

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent relevant work experience may be considered.

Years' Experience

• Two to four years of experience in accounts receivable, accounts payable, or general accounting.
• Experience processing high volumes of customer and vendor invoices preferred.
• Manufacturing or aerospace accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with purchase orders, receiving documentation, and three-way matching required.
• Experience using an ERP system in a manufacturing environment; Epicor experience preferred.

Skills

• Working knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and basic accounting principles.
• Understanding of purchase order processing, receiving transactions, inventory accounting, and three-way matching.
• Ability to review customer invoices, vendor invoices, purchase orders, and receiving documentation for accuracy.
• Ability to investigate transaction discrepancies, identify root causes, and coordinate timely resolution.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to accurately enter, review, and maintain financial transactions within an ERP system.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet daily processing and month-end deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with Finance, Purchasing, Receiving, Shipping, and Operations personnel.
• Understanding of accounting documentation requirements, approval procedures, and internal controls.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial, customer, and vendor information.

Benefits:

At Applied Composites, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, tuition reimbursement and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.

AC is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled - Affirmative Action Employer.

This position requires the use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

Day Shift