Cost Accounting Manager Jobs in California
Cost Accounting Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in manufacturing, technology, defense contracting, and life sciences across a seniority range from entry-level cost accountants stepping into management to senior directors of cost and inventory accounting. Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, where anchors like Northrop Grumman, Intel, and Johnson & Johnson consistently maintain cost accounting teams. Demand is strongest for candidates with expertise in standard costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis tied to complex production environments. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Sr. Cost Accountant
24164
Position Summary
The Senior Cost Accountant owns standard costing, inventory accounting, cost analysis, and manufacturing financial reporting for Cherry Aerospace. This role reports to the Controller and partners with Operations, Supply Chain, Production Leadership, and the General Manager to provide accurate cost information, inventory valuation, variance analysis, forecasting support, and financial insight that improves profitability, inventory performance, and operational decision-making.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Standard Costing & Inventory Accounting
- Own and maintain standard costs for manufactured products, including material, labor, and overhead standards.
- Analyze manufacturing, labor, material, burden, purchase price, and production variances and communicate key drivers.
- Ensure accurate inventory valuation, reconciliations, reserve analysis, and GAAP-compliant inventory transactions.
- Lead quarterly Excess and Obsolete inventory analysis and support physical inventory and cycle count programs.
- Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to improve inventory accuracy, turns, cost controls, and profitability.
Financial Reporting & Month-End Close
- Prepare monthly journal entries, accruals, cost adjustments, account reconciliations, and assigned balance sheet support.
- Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities within required deadlines.
- Prepare management reporting packages, variance explanations, and ad hoc financial analyses.
Operations & Manufacturing Finance Support
- Serve as a financial business partner to the Controller, General Manager, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
- Analyze productivity, labor efficiency, staffing utilization, material consumption, and manufacturing cost trends.
- Support business cases, operational initiatives, production reviews, inventory reviews, and cross-functional meetings.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
- Develop and maintain budgets and forecasts for inventory, manufacturing costs, and Cost of Goods Sold.
- Support annual operating plan, quarterly forecast, trend analysis, and financial modeling activities.
Fixed Assets & Capital Projects
- Track capital projects and spending against approved budgets.
- Ensure proper fixed asset capitalization, depreciation, audit support, and accounting treatment.
Compliance & Internal Controls
- Support SOX compliance, internal controls, company policies, accounting procedures, and audit requirements.
- Maintain documented controls and procedures for inventory accounting and standard costing.
Required Competencies
Technical Competencies
- Standard costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing accounting, cost analysis, variance reporting, financial reporting, reconciliations, budgeting, forecasting, fixed assets, GAAP, SOX/internal controls, ERP systems, advanced Excel, and financial modeling.
Leadership & Professional Competencies
- Analytical thinking, business acumen, attention to detail, problem solving, continuous improvement mindset, organization, communication, cross-functional collaboration, accountability, results orientation, and ability to influence decisions through data.
Success Metrics (KPIs)
- 100% completion of close activities, reconciliations, reporting packages, and required analyses within established deadlines.
- No material audit findings related to inventory, costing, fixed assets, financial reporting, SOX, or internal controls.
- Accurate standard costs, variance reporting, inventory valuation, reserve calculations, and COGS forecasting.
- Improved inventory accuracy, cost visibility, reporting effectiveness, and reduction of manual processes through process improvements or automation.
- Meaningful financial analysis that supports operational decision-making, profitability, inventory turns, and cost control.
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Standard costing and inventory accounting experience required; aerospace, industrial, or discrete manufacturing experience preferred.
- Experience with month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, SOX compliance, internal controls, GAAP, and manufacturing accounting principles.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and support continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
Working Conditions
- Primarily office-based with regular interaction in manufacturing, inventory storage, and production floor areas.
- May be exposed to temperature variation, noise, manufacturing equipment, and required PPE in designated areas.
- Requires extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer use.
With more than 120 operations and approximately 20,000 employees worldwide, Precision Castparts Corp. is the market leader in manufacturing large, complex structural investment castings, airfoil castings, forged components, aerostructures and highly engineered, critical fasteners for aerospace applications. In addition, we are the leading producer of airfoil castings for the industrial gas turbine market. We also manufacture extruded seamless pipe, fittings, and forgings for power generation and oil & gas applications; commercial and military airframe aerostructures; and metal alloys and other materials for the casting and forging industries. With such critical applications, we insist on quality and dependability – not just in the materials and products we make, but in the people we recruit.
PCC is relentless in its dedication to being a high-quality, low-cost and on-time producer; delivering the highest value to its customers while continually pursuing strategic, profitable growth.
In 2016, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Chairman and CEO Warren E. Buffett, acquired Precision Castparts Corp.
Sr. Cost Accountant
24164
Position Summary
The Senior Cost Accountant owns standard costing, inventory accounting, cost analysis, and manufacturing financial reporting for Cherry Aerospace. This role reports to the Controller and partners with Operations, Supply Chain, Production Leadership, and the General Manager to provide accurate cost information, inventory valuation, variance analysis, forecasting support, and financial insight that improves profitability, inventory performance, and operational decision-making.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Standard Costing & Inventory Accounting
- Own and maintain standard costs for manufactured products, including material, labor, and overhead standards.
- Analyze manufacturing, labor, material, burden, purchase price, and production variances and communicate key drivers.
- Ensure accurate inventory valuation, reconciliations, reserve analysis, and GAAP-compliant inventory transactions.
- Lead quarterly Excess and Obsolete inventory analysis and support physical inventory and cycle count programs.
- Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to improve inventory accuracy, turns, cost controls, and profitability.
Financial Reporting & Month-End Close
- Prepare monthly journal entries, accruals, cost adjustments, account reconciliations, and assigned balance sheet support.
- Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities within required deadlines.
- Prepare management reporting packages, variance explanations, and ad hoc financial analyses.
Operations & Manufacturing Finance Support
- Serve as a financial business partner to the Controller, General Manager, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
- Analyze productivity, labor efficiency, staffing utilization, material consumption, and manufacturing cost trends.
- Support business cases, operational initiatives, production reviews, inventory reviews, and cross-functional meetings.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
- Develop and maintain budgets and forecasts for inventory, manufacturing costs, and Cost of Goods Sold.
- Support annual operating plan, quarterly forecast, trend analysis, and financial modeling activities.
Fixed Assets & Capital Projects
- Track capital projects and spending against approved budgets.
- Ensure proper fixed asset capitalization, depreciation, audit support, and accounting treatment.
Compliance & Internal Controls
- Support SOX compliance, internal controls, company policies, accounting procedures, and audit requirements.
- Maintain documented controls and procedures for inventory accounting and standard costing.
Required Competencies
Technical Competencies
- Standard costing, inventory accounting, manufacturing accounting, cost analysis, variance reporting, financial reporting, reconciliations, budgeting, forecasting, fixed assets, GAAP, SOX/internal controls, ERP systems, advanced Excel, and financial modeling.
Leadership & Professional Competencies
- Analytical thinking, business acumen, attention to detail, problem solving, continuous improvement mindset, organization, communication, cross-functional collaboration, accountability, results orientation, and ability to influence decisions through data.
Success Metrics (KPIs)
- 100% completion of close activities, reconciliations, reporting packages, and required analyses within established deadlines.
- No material audit findings related to inventory, costing, fixed assets, financial reporting, SOX, or internal controls.
- Accurate standard costs, variance reporting, inventory valuation, reserve calculations, and COGS forecasting.
- Improved inventory accuracy, cost visibility, reporting effectiveness, and reduction of manual processes through process improvements or automation.
- Meaningful financial analysis that supports operational decision-making, profitability, inventory turns, and cost control.
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Standard costing and inventory accounting experience required; aerospace, industrial, or discrete manufacturing experience preferred.
- Experience with month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, SOX compliance, internal controls, GAAP, and manufacturing accounting principles.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and support continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
Working Conditions
- Primarily office-based with regular interaction in manufacturing, inventory storage, and production floor areas.
- May be exposed to temperature variation, noise, manufacturing equipment, and required PPE in designated areas.
- Requires extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer use.
With more than 120 operations and approximately 20,000 employees worldwide, Precision Castparts Corp. is the market leader in manufacturing large, complex structural investment castings, airfoil castings, forged components, aerostructures and highly engineered, critical fasteners for aerospace applications. In addition, we are the leading producer of airfoil castings for the industrial gas turbine market. We also manufacture extruded seamless pipe, fittings, and forgings for power generation and oil & gas applications; commercial and military airframe aerostructures; and metal alloys and other materials for the casting and forging industries. With such critical applications, we insist on quality and dependability – not just in the materials and products we make, but in the people we recruit.
PCC is relentless in its dedication to being a high-quality, low-cost and on-time producer; delivering the highest value to its customers while continually pursuing strategic, profitable growth.
In 2016, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Chairman and CEO Warren E. Buffett, acquired Precision Castparts Corp.
See All 82 Cost Accounting Manager Jobs in California
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Find Cost Accounting Manager JobsCost Accounting Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Cost Accounting Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Augmentis15A
- Tesla3
- Jobot2
- Nikkiso2
- Saildrone2
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Electronics & Hardware
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cost accounting manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field required
- CPA credential preferred or actively pursued by most California employers
- Five or more years of cost accounting experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
- Proficiency in ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics
- Strong knowledge of standard costing, bill of materials, and inventory valuation methods
- Experience preparing cost variance analysis and supporting month-end close processes
Cost Accounting Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cost accounting manager in California?
The concrete path in California starts with a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, followed by several years in staff or senior cost accounting roles within manufacturing, tech, or defense. California employers strongly favor candidates who hold or are pursuing a CPA, issued through the California Board of Accountancy. Demonstrated experience with standard costing systems, inventory control, and cost variance reporting in a complex production environment is what typically moves candidates from senior accountant to manager.
How much do cost accounting managers make in California?
Cost accounting managers 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 accounting managers in California?
Employers hiring cost accounting managers in California right now include Augmentis, Tesla, and Jobot, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's deep manufacturing and defense industrial base, particularly in Southern California and the Bay Area, means large, established employers in those sectors represent a consistent share of open roles.
Which California cities have the most cost accounting manager jobs?
Irvine, Fontana, and Los Angeles have the most cost accounting manager openings in California. Los Angeles and its surrounding submarket drive volume through aerospace and defense manufacturers, while San Jose sits at the center of semiconductor and electronics firms that rely heavily on cost accounting for complex component inventories, and San Diego draws from its concentration of biotech and life sciences companies with significant production operations.
Are there remote cost accounting manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical finance roles because cost accounting managers frequently work directly with plant operations, warehouse teams, and inventory systems that require on-site presence. About 38% of cost accounting manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and when remote options do exist, they tend to cover the financial reporting and analysis portions of the role rather than the production-floor-facing work.
How can I get hired as a cost accounting manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a cost accountant or manufacturing accountant role at a mid-size California industrial company, then building hands-on experience with standard costing and ERP systems over several years. Large California employers in aerospace and electronics, including firms headquartered in the Los Angeles and South Bay corridors, regularly hire junior cost accountants from accounting programs at California State University campuses. Pursuing the CPA through the California Board of Accountancy while working in a staff role is the credential that most consistently accelerates the move into management.
Where can I find and apply to cost accounting manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cost accounting manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each one.
See All 82 Cost Accounting Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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