Manufacturing Cost and Inventory Accountant

Precision Fluid Controls, Inc.; Lincoln (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Fluid Controls, Inc. is seeking a Cost Accountant to develop and maintain costing systems for manufacturing operations.

You will establish allocation rates, review BOMs, and support GAAP-compliant inventory valuation while collaborating with multiple departments to improve financial accuracy. The role also covers general accounting tasks, month-end close, and payroll backup, requiring strong Excel skills and experience with ERP/MRP systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 4-5 years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Strong Excel skills with pivots and lookups.
• Ability to work with Engineering and Operations on costing.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain cost accounting systems, processes, and procedures.
• Establish standardized methods for recording material, labor, and overhead costs.
• Create labor, machine, and overhead allocation rates based on budgets and production levels.
• Review BOMs, routings, and work orders for accurate costing.
• Analyze material cost trends and supplier price changes impact on costs.

Skills

Cost accounting

GAAP

ERP/MRP systems

Excel proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Job description:

About Us:

Precision Fluid Controls, Inc. designs, manufactures and tests components for launch vehicles and ground support applications—providing many types of valves including throttling valves, ball valves, check and relief valves, vent and relief valves, pressure reducing, both manual and dome loaded, regulators, sleeve valves, butterfly valves, solenoid valves plus many others.

About the role:

The Cost Accountant is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining cost accounting systems and procedures that provide accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting. This position will play a key role in establishing standardized processes for recording, tracking, and analyzing manufacturing costs while working collaboratively with multiple departments to improve operational efficiency and financial accuracy. The Cost Accountant will also perform general accounting duties, assist with month-end close activities, and serve as backup for payroll processing.

What You’ll Do:

Cost Accounting

• Develop, implement, and maintain cost accounting systems, processes, and procedures.
• Establish standardized methods for recording, tracking, and analyzing material, labor, and overhead costs.
• Develop and maintain labor, machine, and overhead allocation rates based on approved budgets and expected production levels to support GAAP-compliant inventory valuation.
• Develop, implement, and maintain product costing methodologies and procedures that support accurate inventory valuation, financial reporting, and management decision-making.
• Analyze manufacturing cost drivers, including material usage, labor utilization, overhead allocation, scrap, and production efficiencies.
• Review bills of material (BOMs), routings, and work orders to ensure accurate product costing.
• Analyze material cost trends and evaluate the impact of supplier price changes on inventory valuation, product costs, and profitability.
• Analyze the financial impact of engineering changes, inventory adjustments, and manufacturing process changes on product costs.
• Monitor inventory transactions and ensure inventory valuation is accurate.
• Analyze material cost trends and evaluate the impact of supplier price changes on inventory valuation, product costs, and profitability.
• Analyze production costs and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Prepare periodic cost reports for management and provide recommendations based on analysis.
• Participate in annual physical inventory counts and cycle count reviews.
• Assist with inventory reconciliations and inventory reserve analysis.
• Analyze applied labor and overhead costs and recommend adjustments to allocation methodologies or rates to ensure inventory valuation remains accurate and compliant with GAAP.
• Review and maintain cost-related data within the ERP system.

General Accounting

• Prepare and reconcile general ledger accounts.
• Assist with month-end and year-end closing activities.
• Prepare journal entries and supporting documentation.
• Reconcile inventory, manufacturing, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Assist in preparing monthly financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and GAAP.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing, Production, Engineering, Purchasing, Planning, Inventory Control, Automation Engineering, Payroll, and Finance to establish and improve costing processes and ensure data accuracy.
• Build strong working relationships across departments to successfully implement new procedures.
• Provide training and guidance to department personnel regarding costing procedures and financial controls.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives affecting manufacturing operations and financial reporting.

Payroll Support

• Serve as backup for payroll processing.
• Assist with payroll reconciliations and payroll-related journal entries.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and employee information.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 4-5 years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with manufacturing ERP/MRP systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand manufacturing processes and collaborate with Engineering and Operations to develop accurate product costs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.

Nice to Have:

• Experience establishing or improving costing processes and procedures.
• Payroll processing experience.
• Experience with inventory management and inventory costing.
• Experience implementing or improving costing systems in a manufacturing environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of manufacturing cost accounting, inventory valuation, cost allocation methodologies, and GAAP financial reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of manufacturing operations, production workflows, and inventory control.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement practical solutions.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to both accounting and non-accounting personnel.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Disclosures:

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

ITAR Compliance.

Due to the nature of our business, this position may require compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a:

• U.S. citizen or national, or
• U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), or
• Refugee under 8 U.S.C. or
• 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. or
• 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Learn more about the ITAR here.