Cost Accountant

Paylocity; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Paylocity in San Jose, CA, seeks a Cost Accountant to analyze product, project, and operational costs and to support informed financial decision-making. You will partner with operations, finance, and management to improve cost efficiency, profitability, and controls.

The role covers standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and data-driven performance evaluation. You will prepare dashboards and contribute to financial modeling and process improvements to enhance margins.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• 3–7 years of cost accounting, financial analysis, or related manufacturing/ops role.
• CPA or CMA preferred or in progress.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, overhead, and production processes.
• Prepare and review cost accounting records, journal entries, and reconciliations per GAAP.
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual cost activities including inventory valuation and cost roll-ups.
• Analyze cost variances and communicate drivers to management.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning with cost and margin insights.
• Develop financial models for pricing, investments, and process improvements.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve margins and reduce waste.
• Partner with operations to understand cost drivers and improve controls.
• Monitor inventory levels and related reserves; assist in internal controls.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Detail-oriented

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA or CMA preferred or in progress

Tools

Epicor

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

Power BI

SQL

Excel

Job description

Description

The Cost Accountant is responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and reporting on product, project, and operational costs to support informed financial decision-making. This role combines core accounting functions—such as cost tracking, variance analysis, and financial reporting—with financial analysis skills, including forecasting, budgeting, and data-driven performance evaluation. The Cost Accountant partners closely with operations, finance, and management to improve cost efficiency, profitability, and financial controls.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, overhead, and production processes.
• Prepare and review cost accounting records, journal entries, and reconciliations in accordance with GAAP.
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual cost-related activities, including inventory valuation and cost roll-ups , daily labor edits and daily job closings.
• Analyze cost variances (price, usage, volume, and efficiency) and communicate drivers to management.

Financial Analysis & Decision Support

• Analyze cost structures and profitability by product, customer, project, or business unit.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes with cost and margin insights.
• Develop financial models to evaluate pricing strategies, capital investments, make-or-buy decisions, and process improvements.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve margin, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency.

Operational & Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with operations, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to understand cost drivers and improve cost controls.
• Support new product introductions by estimating costs, margins, and break-even points.
• Monitor daily inventory levels, monthly cycle counts, slow-moving or obsolete inventory, and related reserves.
• Assist in developing and maintaining internal controls related to cost accounting, inventory, and fixed asset reconciliation.
• Complete other ad-hoc analysis as needed.

Data, Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and enhance cost accounting systems, including ERP and reporting tools.
• Prepare dashboards and management reports, summarizing cost, margin, and performance trends.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve data accuracy, and enhance reporting efficiency.
• Support internal and external audits by providing cost-related analyses and documentation.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance,
• 3–7 years of experience in cost accounting, financial analysis, or a manufacturing/operations finance role.
• CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of cost accounting methods (standard costing, absorption costing, variance analysis).
• Solid understanding of financial statements, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with ERP systems (e.g., Epicor, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) preferred. Knowledge of SQL queries and Power BI preferred.
• Experience analyzing large data sets and translating findings into business insights.

Analytical & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to clearly communicate financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and value creation.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Accurate and timely cost reporting and variance analysis.
• Clear, actionable insights that help management improve margins and control costs.
• Strong partnership with operations and leadership to support strategic decisions.
• Improved cost visibility, forecasting accuracy, and process efficiency over time.