Sr Cost Accountant

Aston Carter•Buellton, CA

1d•$140,000 - $145,000•Remote

About The Position

This Senior Cost Accountant role supports a complex, regulated manufacturing environment with a strong focus on accurate financial reporting, cost accounting, and strategic decision support. Operating as an individual contributor within the corporate finance function, you will partner closely with Senior leadership, operations, and supply chain to deliver insightful analysis, robust financial planning, and executive-level reporting. The position blends hands-on manufacturing cost accounting with broader responsibilities in budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and long-term value creation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
Approximately seven or more years of progressive finance or accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing setting.
Solid foundation in cost accounting, including standard cost concepts, variance analysis, and WIP accounting.
Strong understanding of GAAP in manufacturing environments and how cost accounting integrates into broader financial reporting and planning.
Extensive experience in financial reporting, accounting principles, and internal controls.
Manufacturing industry experience, with working knowledge of complex manufacturing environments; defense or other regulated manufacturing exposure preferred.
Experience supporting audits, tax filings, and compliance activities, including familiarity with DFAR/FAR or similar regulatory frameworks.
Strong financial modeling, valuation, benchmarking, and data visualization skills to support forecasting and strategic analysis.
Proficiency with ERP and financial systems such as NetSuite, Oracle, Cognos, Anaplan, or similar platforms.
Advanced Excel skills and strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, and internet-based tools.
Ability to communicate financial insights clearly and effectively to non-finance stakeholders, both orally and in writing.
Strong planning and organizing skills, with the ability to set priorities and manage time and resources to meet predefined goals.
Demonstrated financial awareness, actively seeking opportunities to optimize costs and investments when making decisions.
Strong data gathering and analytical skills, including the ability to collect, consolidate, and interpret relevant information and identify root causes of issues.
Polished, professional presence suitable for a corporate headquarters role with regular exposure to Senior leadership.
Ability to operate independently with high visibility while maintaining attention to detail and a strong big-picture mindset.
Eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a Gaming License from the Tribal Gaming Agency, as required for the role.

Nice To Haves

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation is a strong plus; CPA eligibility is preferred.
Experience in defense or government-contract manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
Familiarity with manufacturing, property accounting, or real estate industries is highly preferred.
Prior corporate or headquarters finance experience supporting multiple stakeholders is beneficial.
Exposure to operational finance and plant-level collaboration, including partnering with operations and supply chain teams.
Experience developing dashboards and reports using tools such as Power BI or similar data visualization platforms.
Ability to think beyond transactional accounting and connect financial results to strategy and value creation.
Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare well-organized, grammatically correct reports and presentations using clear, accessible language.
Strong oral communication skills, with the ability to shape and express ideas in an effective and persuasive manner.
Comfort working as an individual contributor without direct reports, while influencing cross-functional teams and leadership.
Collaborative mindset with the ability to build trust and act as a reliable finance partner to Senior leaders and operational teams.

Responsibilities

Monitor and evaluate the financial and operational performance of portfolio companies, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities that influence strategic decisions.
Support and oversee manufacturing financial operations, including cost structures, inventory valuation, work-in-process, and margin analysis.
Apply cost accounting principles such as standard costing, variance analysis, and WIP accounting to ensure accurate financial reporting and meaningful business insight.
Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning in partnership with business leadership and corporate finance.
Partner with operations, supply chain, and leadership to improve financial visibility, drive cost optimization, and enhance operational decision-making.
Develop and maintain standardized reporting packages, dashboards, and KPI analysis for internal stakeholders and investors, ensuring reports are executive-ready and clear.
Conduct benchmarking, scenario modeling, and valuation analysis to assess business performance, strategic outlook, and potential new acquisitions.
Perform costing activities to support product pricing, margin analysis, and manufacturing decision-making.
Review monthly investment data on tribal investment funds and prepare quarterly performance reports for internal stakeholders.
Prepare materials for internal meetings, external presentations, and Fund Committee sessions, ensuring information is accurate, well-structured, and insightful.
Monitor treasury and bank accounts, including trades and settlements of stocks, bonds, real estate, and mutual fund transactions managed by third parties.
Evaluate enterprise contracts for financial terms and conditions, highlighting risks, obligations, and value-creation opportunities.
Contribute to strategic initiatives such as new acquisitions, working capital optimization, process improvements, cost reduction efforts, and exit readiness planning.
Support compliance, audits, and documentation requirements in regulated environments, including considerations related to DFAR/FAR and other applicable regulations.
Serve as a key point of contact for audit activities, tax filings, and compliance documentation, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
Provide detailed analysis related to real estate finance, including asset performance, reporting, and scenario analysis.
Analyze trends, risks, and performance drivers within manufacturing operations to inform leadership and guide strategic decisions.
Act as a trusted finance partner to leadership on ad hoc analysis, special projects, and high-visibility initiatives.
Uphold and promote a work environment that emphasizes teamwork, partnership, recognition, mutual respect, and collaboration, while role modeling the organization’s values and culture.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support the broader finance and business objectives.