Senior Cost Accountant

Senior Cost Accountant (Aerospace/Government Contracting - CAS)

Position Title: Senior Cost Accountant

Location: Oxnard, CA (On-Site)

Salary: $92,000 - $120,000 annually DOE

Industry: Aerospace / Defense Manufacturing

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Accountant to support the financial operations of a growing aerospace and defense manufacturer. This role is responsible for cost accounting, inventory accounting, government contract compliance, and financial analysis within a CAS-compliant environment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), FAR, DCAA requirements , standard costing, and manufacturing accounting processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance cost accounting systems, procedures, and controls.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, labor, material, and overhead variances.
• Prepare and review monthly inventory reconciliations and cost reports.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory, WIP, and cost of sales.
• Ensure compliance with CAS, FAR, and DCAA regulations.
• Assist with incurred cost submissions, forward pricing rates, and government audits.
• Monitor and analyze standard costs and recommend improvements.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program Management to improve cost efficiency and profitability.
• Prepare financial analyses related to government contracts, programs, and manufacturing operations.
• Support annual physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Develop and maintain cost allocation methodologies for direct and indirect costs.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning initiatives.
• Support internal and external audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of aerospace, defense, or government contracting experience.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
  • Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
  • Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) requirements
  • Standard Costing
  • Inventory Accounting
  • Job Costing
• Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle, Costpoint, SAP, Epicor, or similar.
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and financial analysis.
• CPA or CMA designation is a plus.

Preferred Experience

• Aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Government contract accounting and audit support.
• Incurred Cost Proposals.
• Forward Pricing and Rate Development.
• Manufacturing inventory management and variance analysis.
• Continuous process improvement initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $92,000 - $120,000 DOE
• Comprehensive benefits package
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Career growth opportunities

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on accounting professional with a solid background in aerospace manufacturing and government contracting. They possess strong analytical skills, expertise in CAS compliance, and a proven ability to partner with cross-functional teams to provide accurate cost reporting, support audits, and drive operational efficiency.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.