Location: South Bay LA area
Assistant Controller
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Assistant Controller with a strong background in cost accounting to join our finance team. This role is critical to maintaining accurate cost data, supporting manufacturing/operations decision-making, and ensuring the integrity of our financial reporting. The ideal candidate combines technical accounting expertise with hands-on cost accounting experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Accounting
- Maintain and analyze standard costs, including labor, material, and overhead rates
- Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual variance analysis (purchase price, usage, labor efficiency, overhead absorption) and report findings to management
- Oversee physical inventory counts and cycle counts; reconcile inventory discrepancies
- Analyze product costing and margins by SKU, product line, or business unit
- Partner with operations and supply chain teams to evaluate cost drivers and identify cost-saving opportunities
- Review and update bills of materials (BOMs) and routing data for accuracy
- Support annual standard cost roll and rate-setting process
General Accounting & Close
- Assist the Controller in managing the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close process
- Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules
- Ensure inventory valuation (FIFO/LIFO/weighted average) is accurate and compliant with GAAP
- Assist with preparation of financial statements and management reporting packages
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls over inventory and cost accounting processes
Analysis & Reporting
- Prepare gross margin analysis and cost trend reporting for leadership
- Support budgeting and forecasting processes, particularly around COGS and manufacturing overhead
- Provide ad hoc financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions
- Assist with audit requests related to inventory and cost accounting (external auditors, physical inventory observation)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports and financial trends.
- Support site functions in developing financial budgets
- Provide analysis, tools and metrics that assist the Company in achieving operational and financial excellence.
- Lead and support monthly performance analysis and re-forecast process.
- Assist in new program contract bidding process as required to ensure required return on investment is met and appropriate margins are estimated.
- Participate in Capital Expenditure Request process to ensure ROI goals are met..
- Participate actively in the strategic direction and planning of the Company with President and management team.
- Work directly with the Division Controller to ensure accurate representation of financial performance.
- Both lead and support with routine site audit.