Sr. Cost Accountant

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Cost Accountant in San Diego, CA to own manufacturing cost accounting, standard costing, and inventory controls.

The role requires hands-on ERP experience, SOX awareness, and strong collaboration with Operations and Finance to close books accurately and on time. The successful candidate will conduct variance analyses, support cost-modeling, and participate in product-profitability assessments, with opportunities to enhance processes and drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance with at least 5 years' cost accounting experience.
• Hands-on experience with ERP inventory and manufacturing costing.
• SOX and internal controls awareness.

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Cost Accounting and Close (30%): Close manufacturing costs weekly, monthly, quarterly with work orders and variances.
• Standard Costing (20%): Support and own the standard cost process reflecting material, labor, overhead.
• Inventory Accounting and Controls (10%): Lead physical inventories, cycle counts, reserves, and balances.
• Variance and Cost Analysis (10%): Analyze variances to identify drivers and actionable insights.
• Issue Resolution and Process Improvement (10%): Identify root causes and implement sustainable fixes across ERP and GL.
• Compliance and Audit Support (10%): SOX owner for inventory/manufacturing controls; support audits.
• Cross-Functional Partnership (5%): Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Finance on issues affecting cost.
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Skills

Cost accounting

GAAP

Excel proficient

Variance analysis

SOX awareness

ERP systems

Cross-functional

Financial reporting

Analytical thinking

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA/CMA (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Sr. Cost Accountant

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1419

Summary

The Senior Cost Accountant is a hands-on accounting professional responsible for the integrity of inventory, manufacturing cost, and cost-of-goods-sold accounting. The person in this role is accountable cost accounting processes, including work order closure, standard costing, inventory reconciliation, and variance analysis. Working independently within Microsoft Dynamics 365, the successful candidate traces transactions through inventory and manufacturing subledgers, identifies anomalies, determines root cause, and implements practical adjustments to our methodology. Reporting to the CAO, this roles works closely with Operations and Finance to proactively escalates issues to leadership and close the books accurately and on time. The stretch opportunity for this role is to provide operational planning, cost modeling, and product-profitability analysis based on proven success with core responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Cost Accounting and Close (30%): Own the accuracy and timeliness of manufacturing cost accounting through the weekly, monthly, and quarterly close, including work order review, inventory and cost of goods sold, manufacturing variances, and subledger-to-general ledger reconciliations.
• Standard Costing (20%): Support, and over time take ownership of, the standard cost process, ensuring product and item costs reflect current material, labor, overhead, and manufacturing performance in the ERP.
• Inventory Accounting and Controls (10%): Lead accounting support for physical inventories, cycle counts, and inventory reserves (including excess and obsolete), and monitor inventory balances to surface potential financial reporting implications.
• Variance and Cost Analysis (10%): Analyze manufacturing and product cost variances to identify their operational and accounting drivers, and translate those findings into clear, decision-useful insights.
• Issue Resolution and Process Improvement (10%): Proactively identify and root-cause accounting, systems, data, and process issues across the ERP and general ledger; implement sustainable solutions and elevate significant items with clear financial impact and recommended actions.
• Compliance and Audit Support (10%): Serve as SOX business process owner for assigned inventory and manufacturing controls and support external audits and SEC reporting as needed.
• Cross-Functional Partnership (5%): Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance leaders to resolve item master, bill-of-material, routing, and transaction issues affecting cost, and support margin, forecast, and annual operating plan analyses.
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Required Skills and Abilities

• Highly motivated, self-starter who manages projects end-to-end and has a demonstrated track record of getting results, organization, and prioritizing deadlines.
• Thorough, technical knowledge of cost accounting principles and how these relate to the Financial Statements (i.e. income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statements).
• Solid understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and investigate transactions directly within an ERP inventory or manufacturing module (e.g., work orders, item costs, inventory transactions).
• Ability to build good working relationships and collaborate effectively across all stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to independently identify cost and inventory anomalies, distinguish symptoms from underlying root causes, and design and implement practical, sustainable process improvements.
• Highly reliable and proactive, with consistent ownership and follow-through — managing open items, meeting close deadlines, and escalating issues and risks in real time rather than waiting to be asked.
• Exceptional analytical ability with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, comfortable working hands-on within ERP and inventory transactions and not solely in spreadsheets.
• Financial modeling experience is a plus but is not a substitute for core cost accounting expertise.
• Experience streamlining manual processes and implementing automation, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex issues in a simple manner.
• Demonstrates grace under pressure with a good sense of humor and dose of humility.
• Familiarity with SOX requirements advantageous

Education and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including substantial hands-on responsibility for cost accounting and inventory in a manufacturing environment.
• Direct, hands-on experience using inventory and manufacturing functionality within an ERP system.
• Experience owning core cost accounting activities during the monthly and quarterly close.

Preferred

• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 inventory, manufacturing, and costing modules, including the ability to research work orders, inventory transactions, item costs, and subledger-to-general-ledger differences.
• Public company or SOX-controlled environment experience.
• Biotech, medical device, diagnostics, or another regulated manufacturing industry experience.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.
• Experience building forecasts, operating plans, product-cost models, or business cases.
• Experience supporting product profitability and gross-margin improvement analysis.
• MBA or other advanced degree in Accounting or Finance.

Additional Requirements

• Travel Requirements:
• Up to 10% of domestic travel time expected
• Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
• Sit and stand for prolonged periods
• Repeating motions that may include the hands, wrists and/or fingers
• Use of hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms
• Stand and/or move about the office or in various environments (including tight and confined spaces), or from one worksite to another
• Specific visual abilities, including close vision and ability to adjust focus, read, review, and assess the accuracy and thoroughness of the work assigned
• Verbal abilities require communicating with others to exchange information
• Occasionally adjusting or moving objects up to 20 pounds in all directions
• Work environment involving low/high temperatures; hazardous conditions, low ventilation, noisy environments, small/enclosed spaces
• In-person interaction with others indoors and outdoors
• Use standard computer, telephone and related equipment for communication, and recordkeeping
• Able to travel, including potential international travel, without personal assistance

The above physical requirements and work environment characteristics generally reflect those of this position but is not an exhaustive list. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, provided that such accommodation does not impose an undue hardship on the Company.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description generally reflects management’s assignment of essential functions but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position, and it does not limit or restrict the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time. The duties, responsibilities and job description of this role are subject to change at any time without notice.