Accounting Manager

Aquent; Montebello (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent seeks a hands-on Senior Accountant for an onsite role in Montebello, CA. You will manage core accounting functions, cost analysis, and payroll while ensuring accurate month-end closes and regulatory compliance.

You will partner with leadership to monitor revenue and margins, support budgeting, and supervise junior staff. Mandarin/Cantonese ability is a plus for supplier coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field with 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Expertise in AP/AR, GL, payroll, cash management, and month-end closes.
• Strong cost accounting, profitability analysis, and standard costing knowledge.
• Solid understanding of internal controls and regulatory filings.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily accounting functions (AP/AR, GL, payroll, cash) and ensure accurate month-end closes.
• Analyze job, product, and customer profitability; review cost variances and standard costing.
• Ensure internal controls, compliance filings, and liaise with CPAs and auditors.
• Monitor revenue, margins, cash flow, and deliver finance insights to leadership.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and inventory valuation.
• Assist with supplier sourcing and contract negotiations (ERP, leases).
• Manage payroll processing and onboarding, confidentiality of records.
• Lead process improvements and mentor junior staff.

Skills

5+ years accounting experience

Manufacturing industry knowledge

Analytical & detail-oriented

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Cost accounting systems

GAAP knowledge

Job description

The role is onsite and the candidate most be able to speak some Mandarin or Cantonese.

Key Responsibilities

• Core Accounting & Financial Reporting: Oversee daily accounting functions (AP/AR, GL, payroll, cash) and manage accurate month-end/year-end closes, journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Cost Accounting & Analysis: Analyze job, product, and customer profitability; review manufacturing cost variances (materials, labor, freight); update standard costing systems; and support pricing analysis.
• Compliance & External Coordination: Ensure internal controls, maintain tax and regulatory compliance (filings, sales/use tax, payroll reporting), and liaise with external CPAs, auditors, banks, and tax advisors.
• Financial Planning & Insights: Monitor financial trends (revenue, margins, cash flow), deliver actionable reports to leadership, and support budgeting, forecasting, and inventory valuation/review.
• Vendor & Sourcing Support: Evaluate vendor quotes, analyze major material purchases, assist with domestic/overseas supplier sourcing, and aid in contract negotiations (ERP, leases, telecom).
• HR & Payroll Administration: Manage complete payroll processing, assist with employee onboarding, maintain confidential personnel/benefit records, and support COBRA and workers' compensation reporting.
• Process Improvement & Team Leadership: Streamline accounting procedures, guide junior staff, and prepare to step into increasing departmental leadership and special projects for senior management.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience) with 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally in manufacturing.
• Technical Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, ERP/accounting systems, cost accounting, inventory valuation, job profitability, and standard GAAP practices.
• Analytical & Operational Skills: Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a solid understanding of manufacturing cost drivers and operational workflows.
• Communication & Execution: Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to translate financial findings for non-financial managers; self-starter capable of managing multiple deadlines with high integrity.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• CPA or CMA certification.
• Previous supervisory or accounting department leadership experience.
• Hands-on experience with payroll, benefits administration, and manufacturing ERP systems.
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese or Cantonese (or other Asian/Pacific Rim languages) for supplier coordination.

Who You Are

• Hands-on & Accountable: A detail-oriented problem solver eager to manage routine execution while maintaining strict accuracy and confidentiality.
• Analytical & Proactive: A forward-thinking communicator who looks beyond the numbers to spot variances, mitigate risks, and optimize processes.
• Collaborative & Growth-Oriented: An adaptable team player who thrives across cross-functional departments and wants to step into a larger financial management role over time.