Director, Cost Accounting ($180K

Confidential High-Growth Aerospace & Defense Company Start Up

Location: Los Angeles (South Bay), CA (Offers Relocation)

Position Type: Full-time/Onsite 

Reports to: Controller & CFO 

Pay: $180-$215K + Equity + Bonus Potential)

Work Authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis without current or future employer sponsorship.

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a Cost Accounting Director to lead cost accounting operations within a manufacturing environment. This role will oversee standard costing, inventory accounting, and cost reporting processes while partnering closely with finance and operations leadership.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting foundations with hands-on manufacturing cost accounting expertise and a leadership mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee cost accounting functions within a manufacturing environment
• Manage standard costing processes, including cost updates and variance analysis
• Oversee inventory accounting, including valuation, reconciliations, and reserves
• Analyze manufacturing variances and provide actionable insights into cost drivers
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, supply chain, and finance leadership
• Support month-end and year-end close processes related to inventory and cost accounting
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and internal control standards
• Identify opportunities to strengthen processes, controls, and reporting visibility
• Lead, mentor, and develop cost accounting team members

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance
• 11+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant exposure to manufacturing cost accounting
• Strong technical accounting foundation, including inventory accounting and standard costing
• Demonstrated leadership experience within an accounting function
• Understanding of U.S. GAAP

Highly Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing environments
• Public accounting background 
• Experience supporting multi-entity or multi-location operations