Travel & Expense Accountant

Rock West Composites; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 44,083 - 52,348; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 5% Match

Employee Stock Option Program

Tuition Reimbursement

9/80 Work Schedule

Paid Holidays + Generous PTO

Job summary

Rock West Composites in San Diego, CA is seeking a Travel & Expense Compliance Specialist to coordinate business travel, audit employee expense reports, and ensure compliance with federal regulations and corporate policies.

You will review receipts, code expenses to appropriate accounts, support internal customers, and help improve travel processes while maintaining strong vendor relationships.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in accounting, auditing, finance, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience administering or auditing employee expense reports.
• Experience coordinating business travel is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate cost-effective travel arrangements for employees, trade shows, and company events.
• Review, audit, and process employee expense reports accurately to ensure timely reimbursement to employees.
• Verify compliance with DCAA requirements, FAR Part 31 cost principles, government per diem rates, and corporate travel policies.
• Accurately code expenses to direct, indirect, and project accounts.
• Maintain preferred relationships with hotels, airlines, rental car providers, and other travel vendors.
• Provide guidance and support to employees on travel and expense reporting processes.

Skills

Analytical

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Communication skills

Multitasking

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

ERP systems

Job description

Who We Are:

Rock West Composites designs and manufactures advanced composite solutions that power some of the most demanding aerospace, defense, space, and commercial applications. From concept through production, we help our customers turn complex ideas into high performance products.

As an employee-owned company, we believe our people are our greatest competitive advantage. If you're passionate about innovation, collaboration, and building products that matter, you'll feel right at home here.

Position Summary:

The Travel & Expense Compliance Specialist is responsible for coordinating business travel, administering employee expense reports, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations and company policies. This role audits expenses for accuracy, proper cost allocation, and supporting documentation while helping maintain efficient travel processes and delivering exceptional internal customer support.

What You'll Own:

• Employee travel coordination for business travel, trade shows, and company events
• Expense report auditing and timely reimbursement processing
• Compliance with DCAA, FAR, and corporate travel policies
• Accurate project and expense coding in accordance with accounting requirements
• Travel vendor relationships and corporate pricing agreements
• Continuous improvement of travel and expense processes

Essential Functions:

Travel Coordination & Administration

• Coordinate cost-effective travel arrangements for employees, trade shows, and company events.
• Develop and manage an intake process for employee travel requests.
• Maintain preferred relationships with hotels, airlines, rental car providers, and other travel vendors.
• Maintain required travel documentation and supporting receipts.
• Comply with Rock West Composites' policies, procedures, and Code of Business Conduct.

Expense Reporting & Compliance

• Review, audit, and process employee expense reports accurately to ensure timely reimbursement to employees.
• Verify supporting documentation and receipts for all submitted expenses.
• Ensure expenses are properly allocated to direct, indirect, and project accounts.
• Verify compliance with DCAA requirements, FAR Part 31 cost principles, government per diem rates, and corporate travel policies.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies while ensuring allowable and unallowable costs are properly recorded.
• Provide guidance and support to employees on travel and expense reporting processes.

Financial Support & Customer Service

• Assist with corporate credit card reconciliations and related accounting activities.
• Provide guidance and support to employees regarding travel and expense policies.
• Collaborate with Accounting and other departments to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Support general administrative and office activities, including answering phones as needed.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in accounting, auditing, finance, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience administering or auditing employee expense reports.
• Experience coordinating business travel is preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Working knowledge of DCAA requirements, FAR Part 31 cost principles, and government contracting compliance.
• Experience reviewing financial transactions for accuracy and proper cost allocation.
• Understanding of travel policies, expense management, and reimbursement processes.

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
• Exceptional customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and resolve discrepancies independently.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive and service-oriented mindset.

Software & Tools

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience with expense management, accounting, or ERP systems preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional internal customer service and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Range: $32 – $38 hourly (based on experience and skillset)
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical & Dental
• Annual Bonus Program
• 401(k) with 5% Match
• Employee Stock Option Program
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
• Paid Holidays + Generous PTO
• $2,500 Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. Certain positions require meeting the U.S. Person definition in 22 CFR 120.62.

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder) as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Rock West Composites will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. Rock West Composites will not seek an export authorization for this role. Rock West Composites maintains a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Depending on state law and the nature of the position, candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to complete a drug screening. Rock West Composites may also conduct drug and alcohol testing based on reasonable suspicion, post-incident, or for safety-sensitive positions as permitted by law.

Accommodation Notice

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537-6260.