Senior Cost Accountant - Government Contracting (Accounts Payable, Job Costing)

Applied Intuition; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

Applied Intuition, Inc. is seeking a Senior Accountant to manage full-cycle Accounts Payable and job costing in a federal contracting environment. The role focuses on FAR/DFARS compliance, subcontractor invoice reviews, and travel expense audits.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in government accounting, strong Excel skills, and the ability to support audits and year-end close. In-office role with competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of accounting experience within a federal government contracting environment, focusing on accounts payable and job costing.
• Advanced understanding of FAR/DFARS cost principles and government accounting standards.
• Experience processing and auditing travel expense reports in compliance with JFTR, FTR, and per diem rules.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full-cycle AP processing with coding, approvals, and disbursements per FAR-compliant practices.
• Manage job cost coding and allocation to cost objectives, ensuring allowability.
• Review and reconcile subcontractor invoices against contracts and funding.
• Process travel expense reports per policy and regulations (JFTR/FTR).

Skills

Accounts payable

Job costing

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Travel expense auditing

Excel

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Tools

PROCAS

Deltek Costpoint

Unanet

Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and analytical Senior Accountant to manage the full cycle of Accounts Payable functions supporting government contract compliance and operations. This role focuses on AP job cost allocations, subcontractor invoice and corporate credit cards reconciliations, and processing a high volume of travel expenses. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of FAR/DFARS, Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), per diem policies, and sales & use tax accruals, ensuring financial accuracy and audit readiness across the organization.

At Applied Intuition, You Will

• Oversee full-cycle Accounts Payable (AP) processing, including coding, approvals, and disbursements in accordance with FAR-compliant accounting practices.
• Manage job cost coding and allocation to appropriate cost objectives, ensuring accuracy of direct and indirect charges and allowability determinations per FAR 31 and contractual terms.
• Perform subcontractor invoice reviews and reconciliations, ensuring alignment with contract terms, funding, and cost allowability.
• Process and audit employee travel expense reports, verifying compliance with company policy and JFTR/FTR regulations.
• Maintain and apply accurate per diem rates based on GSA schedules and contract-specific requirements.
• Calculate and record sales and use tax accruals for applicable purchases and ensure proper tax reporting and remittance.
• Maintain fixed assets and depreciation schedules per asset class, prepare and book adjusting entries as required.
• Collaborate with project managers, procurement, and contracts teams to validate costs and ensure timely invoice approvals and accruals.
• Maintain detailed and audit-ready documentation supporting AP transactions and travel expense reimbursements.
• Support month-end close activities including AP accruals, job cost reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Assist in preparing schedules for DCAA, DCMA, and independent audits as needed.
• Prepare and file 1099MISC, 1099 NSC, 1098 fillings annually and assist with drafting responses to IRS inquiries.
• Provide support for continuous improvement of AP and job cost processes, identifying areas for increased efficiency and internal control.

We're Looking For Someone Who Has

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of accounting experience within a federal government contracting environment, with a strong focus on accounts payable and job costing.
• Advanced understanding of FAR/DFARS cost principles, allowability and government accounting standards.
• Proven experience processing and auditing travel expense reports in compliance with JFTR, FTR, and federal per diem rules.
• Strong background in job cost allocation, cost segregation, and subcontractor invoice tracking.
• Knowledge of sales and use tax accruals, thresholds, and multistate compliance.
• Proficiency with ERP systems such as PROCAS, Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or similar platforms.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills: able to perform reconciliations and build cost reports.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail; able to prioritize and manage multiple deliverables.
• Ability to gain a US Government security clearance.

Nice To Have

• Experience supporting DCAA or DCMA audits.
• Familiarity with JFTR travel guidelines, ITAR, and other government regulatory frameworks.
• Prior experience in defense DoD contracting environment.
• Active Secret Clearance.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES

Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact [e-mail]. We will work with you!

Compensation Range: $110K - $155K