Senior Cost Accountant

Alliance Resource Group; Mission Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance Resource Group is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to lead cost accounting activities across inventory valuation, standard costing, and COGS. You will partner with Accounting, Finance, and Operations to analyze variances and drive process improvements.

The role involves supporting month-end close, detailed inventory analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance profitability. Strong GAAP knowledge and ERP experience are essential in this fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 4+ years of accounting experience, preferably in cost accounting/inventory/manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and inventory accounting.
• Experience with standard costing, manufacturing variances, inventory valuation, and COGS.
• Advanced Excel skills (PivotTables, lookups, large data sets).
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Dynamics).

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain cost accounting activities (standard costs, inventory valuation, overhead allocation, COGS).
• Analyze material, labor, overhead, purchase price, and manufacturing variances.
• Support monthly/quarterly/annual close (journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, variance analysis).
• Perform detailed inventory analysis (raw materials, WIP, finished goods).
• Review inventory reserves, excess/obsolete inventory, cycle counts, physical inventory results.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to understand production costs and drivers.
• Develop and maintain standard costing and annual cost rolls.
• Analyze product and customer profitability, gross margins, and cost trends.
• Improve costing methodologies, reporting, internal controls, and processes.
• Support budgeting/forecasting related to inventory and COGS.
• Assist with audits by preparing schedules and documentation.
• Identify opportunities to automate or streamline reporting.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Independent / multitask

Cost accounting experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

Dynamics

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Cost Accountant to join a growing accounting and finance team. This role will be heavily involved in cost accounting, inventory, manufacturing/operational analysis, month-end close, and financial reporting. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of how costs flow through an organization and can dig into the details behind inventory, margins, variances, and production costs. This person will work closely with Accounting, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and other business partners to ensure accurate reporting while identifying opportunities to improve processes and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain cost accounting activities, including standard costs, inventory valuation, overhead allocation, and cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Analyze material, labor, overhead, purchase price, and manufacturing variances and communicate key findings to management.
• Support the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, including journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and variance analysis.
• Perform detailed inventory analysis, including raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Review inventory reserves, excess and obsolete inventory, cycle counts, and physical inventory results.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to better understand production costs, efficiencies, scrap, yields, and other operational drivers.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of standard costing and annual cost rolls.
• Analyze product and customer profitability, gross margins, and cost trends.
• Help improve costing methodologies, reporting, internal controls, and accounting processes.
• Support budgeting and forecasting related to inventory, manufacturing costs, and COGS.
• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing schedules and supporting documentation.
• Identify opportunities to automate or streamline reporting and cost accounting processes.
• Participate in special projects and ad hoc financial analysis as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 4+ years of accounting experience, preferably with significant exposure to cost accounting, inventory, or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and inventory accounting.
• Experience working with standard costing, manufacturing variances, inventory valuation, and COGS.
• Advanced Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookups, and working with large data sets.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Dynamics, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to investigate variances and explain the underlying business drivers.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with both accounting and operational teams.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or CMA certification, or progress toward certification.
• Experience within a manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, aerospace, electronics, or other inventory-intensive environment.
• Experience with ERP implementations, system upgrades, or process improvement initiatives.
• Exposure to Power BI, Tableau, or other reporting/analytics tools is a plus.