Senior Cost Accountant (Aerospace/Government Contracting - CAS)

Position Title: Senior Cost Accountant
Location: Oxnard, CA (On-Site)
Salary: $92,000 - $120,000 annually DOE
Industry: Aerospace / Defense Manufacturing

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Accountant to support the financial operations of a growing aerospace and defense manufacturer. This role is responsible for cost accounting, inventory accounting, government contract compliance, and financial analysis within a CAS-compliant environment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), FAR, DCAA requirements, standard costing, and manufacturing accounting processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance cost accounting systems, procedures, and controls.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, labor, material, and overhead variances.
• Prepare and review monthly inventory reconciliations and cost reports.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to inventory, WIP, and cost of sales.
• Ensure compliance with CAS, FAR, and DCAA regulations.
• Assist with incurred cost submissions, forward pricing rates, and government audits.
• Monitor and analyze standard costs and recommend improvements.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program Management to improve cost efficiency and profitability.
• Prepare financial analyses related to government contracts, programs, and manufacturing operations.
• Support annual physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Develop and maintain cost allocation methodologies for direct and indirect costs.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning initiatives.
• Support internal and external audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of aerospace, defense, or government contracting experience.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
  • Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
  • Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) requirements
  • Standard Costing
  • Inventory Accounting
  • Job Costing
• Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle, Costpoint, SAP, Epicor, or similar.
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and financial analysis.
• CPA or CMA designation is a plus.

Preferred Experience

• Aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Government contract accounting and audit support.
• Incurred Cost Proposals.
• Forward Pricing and Rate Development.
• Manufacturing inventory management and variance analysis.
• Continuous process improvement initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $92,000 - $120,000 DOE
• Comprehensive benefits package
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Career growth opportunities

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on accounting professional with a solid background in aerospace manufacturing and government contracting. They possess strong analytical skills, expertise in CAS compliance, and a proven ability to partner with cross-functional teams to provide accurate cost reporting, support audits, and drive operational efficiency.