Senior Cost Accountant

Job DetailsJob Location: Helm Plant - Helm, CA 93627Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeSalary Range: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 Salary/yearTravel Percentage: Up to 25%Job Shift: DayJob Category: AccountingSUMMARY: Senior Cost Accountant will lead our cost accounting function across both manufacturing and logistics operations. This individual will ensure the accuracy of cost models, drive operational insights, and provide leadership that enhances profitability, efficiency, and competitiveness. The ideal candidate will not only manage the numbers but also act as a business partner to operations, supply chain, and finance, aligning cost insights with broader strategic goals. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following reflects essential duties and responsibilities but is not all-inclusive. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign tasks as necessary: Cost Modeling & Control Develop, implement, and maintain robust standard costing models for materials, labor, overhead, and finished goods. Ensure accurate and consistent cost tracking methodologies across manufacturing and logistics. Drive enhancements in cost control processes, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and company policies. Oversee the monthly and quarterly closing processes related to cost accounting, including reconciliations, reporting, and analysis. Financial & Operational Analysis Analyze cost variances, trends, and KPIs to identify inefficiencies and areas of improvement. Partner with operations and supply chain teams to optimize throughput, productivity, and resource utilization. Lead the cost accounting function for budgets, forecasts, and capital project analyses, ensuring alignment with ROI expectations and operational excellence. Support inventory valuation, product margin analysis, and cost allocation methodologies. Strategic Partnership & Business Insights Translate cost data into actionable insights that influence pricing strategies, margin management, and long-term competitiveness. Act as a trusted advisor to senior management by providing forward-looking analysis and recommendations to support strategic decision-making. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to drive cost efficiency initiatives, waste reduction programs, and continuous improvement projects. Provide input into strategic initiatives such as making vs. buy decisions, process automation, and logistics optimization. Reporting & Communication Prepare and present comprehensive cost reports to executive leadership, highlighting risks, opportunities, and recommendations. Develop and monitor key performance metrics to measure cost efficiency across production and logistics. Ensure clear, transparent, and timely communication of financial insights across the business. QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; CPA/CMA preferred. 7+ years of progressive cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment, with at least 2–3 years in a leadership role. Strong knowledge of standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and cost modeling. Experience in both manufacturing and logistics cost structures highly preferred. Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Deacom, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and advanced Excel/analytical tools. Proven track record of leading teams and developing high-performing accounting professionals. Strong communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization. KEY COMPETENCIES: Leadership & Team Development – Ability to inspire, guide, and grow a team of professionals. Analytical Expertise – Skilled at turning complex cost data into strategic insights. Cross-Functional Collaboration – Adept at partnering with operations, supply chain, and finance to achieve business goals. Results Orientation – Proven ability to drive process improvements and deliver measurable impact on profitability. Business Acumen – Deep understanding of manufacturing, logistics, and financial drivers. Leadership & Team Development – Ability to inspire, guide, and grow a team of professionals. Analytical Expertise – Skilled at turning complex cost data into strategic insights. Cross-Functional Collaboration – Adept at partnering with operations, supply chain, and finance to achieve business goals. Results Orientation – Proven ability to drive process improvements and deliver measurable impact on profitability. Business Acumen – Deep understanding of manufacturing, logistics, and financial drivers. WORK ENVIRONMENT and PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Office and plant environment, including exposure to manufacturing processes. Regularly required to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods. May occasionally lift up to 15 lbs. and perform tasks such as bending, twisting, and repetitive hand motions. Occasional travel between plant locations, requiring car or air travel and prolonged sitting. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. May occasionally lift up to 15 lbs. and occasionally squat, bend, stoop, twist, repetitive motion of hands, etc. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may sometimes work near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to dust/dirt at plant. May be required to travel by car, air, and sit for long periods of time occasionally. Continuously use pf computer, laptop, phone, tablet or other mobile device and repetitive use hands