Finance Estimator

Why This Role Stands Out
If you enjoy analyzing the drivers behind product costs, connecting manufacturing performance to financial outcomes, and ensuring accuracy in cost data from the shop floor through to financial reporting, this role offers that opportunity.
As a Senior Cost Accountant, you will play a central role in cost transparency and control. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate product costing, managing cost structures, analyzing variances, and providing insights that support operational and financial performance. Your work will have a direct impact on pricing, profitability, forecasting, and strategic decision-making across complex aerospace manufacturing programs.
This is a highly hands-on role with full ownership of cost accounting processes. You will work closely with operations and program teams while ensuring financial accuracy in a regulated manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Accounting Structure Ownership

Manage the accurate tracking, classification, and allocation of both direct and indirect costs
Maintain and enhance cost pools such as labor, overhead, and G&A, along with their allocation methodologies
Lead the development, forecasting, and monitoring of annual and interim indirect rates
Ensure accurate and consistent cost flow from subledger to general ledger
Maintain standard cost structures and align them with operational realities
Support month-end close activities
Ensure compliance with FAR, CAS, and U.S. Government accounting requirements across active aerospace programs
Support CAS-covered contracts by maintaining compliant and consistent cost accumulation, allocation, and reporting
Monitor adherence to key CAS standards and maintain proper documentation
Identify and manage unallowable costs in accordance with FAR Part 31
Manufacturing Cost Control and Analysis
Perform in-depth analysis of labor, material, overhead, and subcontract costs
Evaluate manufacturing variances including labor efficiency, material usage, overhead absorption, and purchase price variance, and collaborate with operations to determine root causes
Monitor inventory valuation, work-in-progress (WIP), and cost of goods sold
Assist with standard cost updates, annual cost roll processes, and bill of materials (BOM) reviews
Analyze cost trends and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and margins
Government Cost Compliance
Ensure cost accumulation processes align with FAR, CAS, and government contract requirements
Support CAS-covered contracts with consistent cost allocation practices
Identify, track, and segregate unallowable costs
Prepare and support forward pricing rate proposals (FPRPs) and required government submissions
Participate in DCAA and DCMA audits, supporting documentation and explaining financial data
Financial Controls and Reporting
Maintain documentation supporting cost methodologies and internal control structures
Assist with month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory, reserves, and cost adjustments
Develop clear and actionable reporting for leadership
Maintain audit readiness through consistent processes and thorough documentation
Systems and Tools
Utilize SAP for cost accounting structures, standard costing, and reporting
Support financial consolidation and reporting through OneStream
Build and maintain cost models, variance analyses, and dashboards using Excel, MS Office tools, and Qlik
Qualifications
Required
U.S. Citizenship
Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
Minimum of 5 years of progressive cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment (aerospace experience preferred)
Strong knowledge of standard costing, variance analysis, and indirect rate structures
Experience with cost roll processes in complex bill of materials (BOM) environments
Advanced Excel skills, along with experience using ERP systems (SAP preferred) and financial reporting tools (OneStream preferred)
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate cost data into actionable insights
Experience supporting audits and government rate submissions
Working knowledge of FAR and CAS within a government contracting environment
Direct experience preparing forward pricing rate proposals (FPRP)
Experience supporting DCAA and DCMA audits
Preferred
~ CPA or CMA certification