Senior Cost Accountant

Pivotal; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Vision insurance

401k plans

Job summary

Pivotal, located in Palo Alto, CA, is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to manage inventory accounting and month-end close activities. This role plays a key part in ensuring the accuracy of cost accounting while supporting operations and collaborating across departments.

The ideal candidate will possess over 5 years of hands-on experience in cost accounting, a strong grasp of US GAAP, and the capability to optimize ERP systems. Benefits include medical, dental, vision coverage, and a 401k plan.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including inventory and cost accounting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience in a high-growth manufacturing or hardware environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly inventory subledger reconciliation process.
• Manage month-end close activities related to cost accounting.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies and reconciliation variances.

Skills

Inventory accounting

Cost accounting

ERP system experience

Financial analysis

US GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

The Senior Cost Accountant will play a key role in managing inventory accounting and month-end close activities within a growing operational environment. This position is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of cost accounting, supporting operational scalability, and partnering cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Operations, and Procurement.

This role is particularly well suited for candidates with experience supporting organizations transitioning from a research and development (R&D) or pre-commercialization environment into scaled operations and production. The ideal candidate possesses strong ERP system experience, detailed knowledge of inventory subledgers and manufacturing processes, and the ability to establish scalable accounting procedures in a dynamic environment. This position reports to the Assistant Controller.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly inventory subledger reconciliation process, including reconciling transactions between our MES tool and ERP subledger
• Be a key contributor in building out the costing function
• Manage and execute month-end close activities related to cost accounting and fixed assets
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies, transactional exceptions, and reconciliation variances
• Analyze fluctuations and prepare variance analyses related to inventory, fixed assets, freight, scrap and overhead
• Assist with inventory reserve analyses including excess, obsolete, slow-moving, and scrap inventory assessments
• Review subledger exception reports and coordinate timely resolution with Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing and IT teams
• Support ERP optimization initiatives and process automation efforts related to inventory and cost accounting
• Identify opportunities for process standardization, automation, and internal control enhancement
• Assist with documentation of accounting policies, SOPs, and process narratives
• Participate in physical inventory counts and cycle count review procedures
• Support financial reporting and audit requests

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant inventory and cost accounting responsibilities
• Strong understanding of US GAAP and inventory accounting concepts
• Experience in a high-growth manufacturing or hardware environment
• Experience preparing journal entries, reconciliations, and financial analysis
• Experience reviewing inventory subledger activity and reconciling to the general ledger
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Experience working within ERP systems in a manufacturing or inventory-intensive environment

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
• Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
• Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.
• Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
• Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.