Strategic Cost Accountant: Margin, Forecasting & Efficiency

Paylocity; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Paylocity in San Jose, CA, seeks a Cost Accountant to analyze product, project, and operational costs and to support informed financial decision-making. You will partner with operations, finance, and management to improve cost efficiency, profitability, and controls.

The role covers standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and data-driven performance evaluation. You will prepare dashboards and contribute to financial modeling and process improvements to enhance margins.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• 3–7 years of cost accounting, financial analysis, or related manufacturing/ops role.
• CPA or CMA preferred or in progress.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, overhead, and production processes.
• Prepare and review cost accounting records, journal entries, and reconciliations per GAAP.
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual cost activities including inventory valuation and cost roll-ups.
• Analyze cost variances and communicate drivers to management.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning with cost and margin insights.
• Develop financial models for pricing, investments, and process improvements.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve margins and reduce waste.
• Partner with operations to understand cost drivers and improve controls.
• Monitor inventory levels and related reserves; assist in internal controls.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Detail-oriented

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA or CMA preferred or in progress

Tools

Epicor

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

Power BI

SQL

Excel

Job description

Paylocity in San Jose, CA, seeks a Cost Accountant to analyze product, project, and operational costs and to support informed financial decision-making. You will partner with operations, finance, and management to improve cost efficiency, profitability, and controls.

The role covers standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and data-driven performance evaluation. You will prepare dashboards and contribute to financial modeling and process improvements to enhance margins.