Sr. Accountant

Cypress HCM; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing startup in aerospace/defense is looking for a Senior Accountant to manage transactional accounting and ensure financial accuracy. The role includes leading the month-end close process, maintaining the general ledger, and ensuring compliance with GAAP. Candidates should have 7+ years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, with proficiency in ERP systems like Unanet. Compensation ranges from $110k to $125k annually.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally in aerospace/defense or manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, FAR, DFARS, and CAS.
• Must be a U.S. citizen able to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own and operate the full transactional accounting lifecycle.
• Lead the monthly close process ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure timely and accurate revenue and cost recognition.

Skills

U.S. GAAP knowledge

Analytical thinking

Detail-oriented

Effective communication

Advanced Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Unanet

Deltek Costpoint

Job description

Senior Accountant

This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast‑growing startup in the aerospace/defense industry as a Sr. Accountant. In this high‑impact role, you will own the company’s transactional accounting function and ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of day‑to‑day financial operations. The Senior Accountant leads month‑end close, maintains the general ledger, and ensures all accounting activity—including accruals, reconciliations, revenue, and cost recognition—is recorded accurately and in compliance with GAAP and company policy.

This is a hands‑on ownership role centered on execution, structure, and continuous improvement. The Senior Accountant works independently, enforces strong accounting discipline, and delivers clean, audit‑ready financials that leadership can trust.

Responsibilities

• Own and operate the full transactional accounting lifecycle, from initiation through financial statement impact
• Maintain general ledger accuracy; journal entries, accruals, allocations, adjustments, etc.
• Ensure timely and accurate revenue and cost recognition in accordance with GAAP
• Maintain integrity of subledgers; to include accounts payable, accruals, prepaids, and fixed assets
• Enforce proper coding, cost allocation, and financial discipline across all accounting activity
• Lead the monthly close process end to end, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness
• Deliver accurate monthly financial results to leadership on established timelines
• Perform comprehensive balance sheet reviews in partnership with the Director of Finance
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations
• Investigate, resolve, and document variances, errors, and accounting issues
• Oversee accounts payable coding accuracy and cost allocation
• Ensure project and contract related costs are recorded accurately and aligned with budgets and funding
• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and Program teams to ensure transactional accuracy
• Own balance sheet structure, reconciliation processes, and supporting documentation
• Ensure all accounts are fully reconciled, documented, and audit‑ready
• Ensure financial records are complete, accurate, and defensible
• Maintain strong internal controls across transactional accounting
• Own accrued expenses, prepaid schedules, and expense recognition timing
• Support preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Assist with management reporting, variance analysis, and financial insights
• Maintain supporting schedules and reporting accuracy
• Prepare audit‑ready schedules and support external audits and reviews
• Support regulatory and government compliance requirements, as applicable
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal accounting policies
• Strengthen structure, discipline, and scalability across accounting operations
• Drive continuous improvement across close, reconciliation, and reporting processes
• Support ERP optimization and accounting system integrity
• Improve accuracy, efficiency, and the overall internal control environment

Requirements and Desired Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or similar field of study
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally in aerospace/defense or manufacturing organizations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, FAR, DFARS, and CAS compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with indirect rate structures and project‑based cost allocation methodologies.
• Working knowledge of cost accounting and project‑based accounting (preferred).
• Experience with ERP systems such as Unanet (strongly preferred), Deltek Costpoint, or similar platforms.
• Advanced Excel proficiency, including pivot tables, lookups, and complex formulas.
• Highly detail‑oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Clear, effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across technical, operational, and finance teams.
• Experience at a Government contracting company is a plus.
• Previous experience in a startup environment is a plus.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Compensation

Compensation (DOE): $110k - $125k annual base salary