Cost Accountant Jobs in California
Cost Accountant jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in manufacturing, technology, entertainment, and defense contracting, with openings from entry-level staff accountants through senior cost managers and controllers. Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, home to established employers such as Northrop Grumman, Cisco Systems, and The Walt Disney Company, all of which maintain substantial accounting functions in the state. Product costing, inventory valuation, and standard cost variance analysis are the sub-areas California employers request most consistently. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Looking for a Senior Cost Accountant in the Loma Linda area!
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and review journal entries
- Reconcile accounts, summarize activity, and resolve reconciling differences
- Understand the Balance Sheet and P&L, including how account activity affects them and how line items are classified
- Analyze and clearly communicate operational performance
- Partner with company departments to help them understand their financial reports
- Recommend improvements to processes, practices, and policies
- Support and help drive the decision-making process
- Consistently strive to exceed goals and expectations
- Contribute to a timely, accurate month-end close in compliance with GAAP and company accounting policies
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- BS/BA in Accounting
- 10 years of experience
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
Pay: $95,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Relocation assistance
Work Location: In person
Looking for a Senior Cost Accountant in the Loma Linda area!
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and review journal entries
- Reconcile accounts, summarize activity, and resolve reconciling differences
- Understand the Balance Sheet and P&L, including how account activity affects them and how line items are classified
- Analyze and clearly communicate operational performance
- Partner with company departments to help them understand their financial reports
- Recommend improvements to processes, practices, and policies
- Support and help drive the decision-making process
- Consistently strive to exceed goals and expectations
- Contribute to a timely, accurate month-end close in compliance with GAAP and company accounting policies
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- BS/BA in Accounting
- 10 years of experience
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
Pay: $95,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Relocation assistance
Work Location: In person
See All 59 Cost Accountant Jobs in California
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Find Cost Accountant JobsCost Accountant Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Cost Accountant Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Electronics & Hardware
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cost accountant jobs across California.
- CPA license issued or recognized by the California Board of Accountancy preferred
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field required
- Proficiency in ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite strongly preferred
- Three or more years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing or technology
- Strong working knowledge of standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation
- Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and financial modeling
Cost Accountant Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cost accountant in California?
A bachelor's degree in accounting or finance is the standard entry point for cost accountant roles in California. While no state license is required to work in the role itself, earning a CPA through the California Board of Accountancy or a Certified Management Accountant credential significantly improves hiring prospects and advancement. California employers in manufacturing and technology also value direct exposure to ERP systems and cost-accounting software from internships or prior staff accounting roles.
How much do cost accountants make in California?
Cost accountants in California earn a median of about $97,050 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $61,770 for the lowest 10% to over $160,520 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cost accountants in California?
Employers hiring cost accountants in California right now include Augmentis, Tesla, and Jobot, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of aerospace, semiconductor, consumer technology, and entertainment companies means demand for cost accountants with manufacturing or project-costing backgrounds is especially strong and consistent across the state.
Which California cities have the most cost accountant jobs?
Irvine, Los Angeles, and Fremont have the most cost accountant openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its dense mix of entertainment studios, aerospace contractors, and consumer goods manufacturers, while San Jose and the broader Bay Area draw demand from semiconductor and enterprise software companies, and San Diego's defense and biotech sectors generate steady need for cost accountants supporting government contracts and research operations.
Are there remote cost accountant jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many finance roles, since cost accounting analysis is largely desk-based and can be performed without daily on-site presence. About 55% of cost accountant openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broader flexibility in analytical finance. Month-end close support and ERP work are the tasks most commonly performed on a hybrid schedule, while physical inventory counts typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a cost accountant in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a staff accountant or accounting analyst role inside a California manufacturing, defense, or technology company, then transitioning into cost functions once you have ERP exposure. Large California employers such as Northrop Grumman and Cisco Systems run rotational finance programs for recent graduates. Pursuing the CPA through the California Board of Accountancy, or beginning a Certified Management Accountant credential, signals seriousness to hiring managers and compensates for limited direct cost-accounting experience.
Where can I find and apply to cost accountant jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cost accountant jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 59 Cost Accountant Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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