Cost Accountant

Divergent•Torrance, CA

1d•$94,610 - $130,090•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cost Accountant owns core cost accounting execution across close activities, reconciliations, standard cost maintenance, and process documentation. This role requires the ability to work independently on recurring deliverables, identify and resolve discrepancies, and contribute to a well-controlled cost accounting function in a complex, fast-paced manufacturing environment. Working closely with Supply Chain (Warehouse, Procurement, Planning), Production, Program Management, and IT teams- this position strengthens the Cost Accounting and Finance function through robust maintenance, reconciliations, and enhanced financial controls that improve the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of inventory and COGS reporting.

Requirements

Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
Bachelor's degree in Accounting
2–4 years of experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, or manufacturing accounting; candidates with additional experience are encouraged to apply
Solid understanding of inventory flows, standard costing, PPV, and COGS recognition in an ERP environment
Demonstrated experience preparing and owning journal entries, account reconciliations, and close workpapers independently
Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, structured reconciliation models)
Strong attention to detail with consistent follow-through on recurring deadlines
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with evolving processes and imperfect data

Nice To Haves

Experience in manufacturing, hardware, aerospace, or complex operational environments
Exposure to ERP environments requiring manual accounting intervention or workarounds
Experience owning cost accounting close activities end-to-end in a manual or semi-manual environment
Working knowledge of PPV, absorption, WIP accounting, and standard cost systems
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain clean, audit-ready reconciliation packages with minimal oversight
Experience contributing to process documentation and workflow standardization
Oracle Fusion experience preferred

Responsibilities

Prepare and post journal entries for assigned close areas, including accruals, reclassifications, and timing corrections
Prepare sub-ledger to GL reconciliations for assigned accounts, ensuring alignment between operational data and financial results
Maintain and update close schedules, checklists, and supporting workpapers for recurring close activities
Identify and resolve discrepancies between operational activity and financial reporting; surface issues requiring resolution or broader alignment.
Maintain standard cost records by updating ERP cost data to reflect approved process, methodology, and cost changes.
Perform costing and work order analysis to ensure reasonability of inventory valuation and supporting documentation of methodology and inputs
Analyze cost variances including purchase price variance (PPV), identify root causes, and update standard costs as necessary
Own inventory and cost account reconciliations, including raw materials, WIP, and finished goods
Prepare and maintain PPV analysis, absorption reporting, and other cost variance workpapers
Validate inventory movements and production data against ERP records; investigate and resolve unresolved breaks
Build and maintain reconciliation templates, trackers, and process documentation for recurring close activities and one-time events
Document inventory valuation, cost recognition, standard cost assumptions and methodology in a clear, audit-ready format as processes evolve
Standardize cost accounting workflows to improve repeatability and ensure process continuity
Perform tracking and analysis related to freight, duties, and outside processing costs
Monitor key variances, develop metrics to ensure inventory and cost inputs are reasonable and accurate
Support ERP development, reconciliation, and validation tasks tied to cost accounting and inventory accounting workflows
Assist with testing and validation of ERP enhancements affecting cost accounting processes
Partner with Supply Chain (Planning, Procurement, Warehouse), Production, Program Management, and IT to resolve transaction issues, improve data quality, and strengthen standardized processes and controls that enable accurate and timely accounting
Guide cross-functional teams in resolving inventory and transaction issues while reinforcing process discipline, control ownership, and continuous improvement to reduce recurring exceptions