Senior Accountant- Project and Cost

Trust Automation · San Luis Obispo · $90,940–$110,000 (stated in the posting)

Trust Automation

Trust Automation has over 35 years of experience in custom motors, linear drives, digital drives, and systems which meet the unique needs of its customers. Its product line includes motors, linear drives, digital drives, custom assemblies, and products to fit unique applications and ground-up system design and manufacturing solutions. We design, build and support control and power management systems for the most demanding defense, semiconductor, industrial automation, and medical applications.

Trust Automation is an equal opportunity employer and committed to attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining a skilled, productive, and diverse workforce, personnel with competencies and experience related to the regional and State population. Every employee has an “at-will” relationship with Trust Automation. This means that employment with Trust Automation is at the mutual consent of the employer and the employee and is suject to termination by either party at will, with or without cause or advance notice.

Job Summary

The Senior Accountant – Project and Cost manages project setup, cost tracking, and contract financial records in D365 for government and other cost-type contracts. This role monitors budgets and authorized funding, maintains accurate accounting and billing configurations, and supports month-end close, revenue recognition, and audits.

This role also owns the D365 F&O actual costing close process, including analysis of complex production orders and investigation of manufacturing cost variances and review and closing of work orders. The position collaborates with Program Management, Contracts, Sales, Operations, and Accounting to resolve financial issues and maintain reliable project and cost reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

Project and Contract Accounting:

Manage project setup and maintenance in D365 F&O’s Project Management and Accounting module for all government contracts or cost type contracts; establish project records and appropriate accounting and billing configurations based on approved contract terms, including firm fixed price (FFP), cost-plus fixed fee (CPFF), and time and materials (T&M) arrangements.
Maintain project hierarchies, subprojects, work breakdown structures (WBS), labor categories, project categories, job codes, and financial dimensions to support accurate cost tracking by prime contract, task order, and contract line item, as applicable.
Maintain contract values, authorized funding, periods of performance, billing limits, and approved modifications; ensure changes are accurately reflected in project records and supporting documentation.
Monitor project costs, commitments, and financial performance against budgets and authorized funding; investigate variances and communicate potential overruns and other financial concerns to project stakeholders.
Prepare and validate project financial data and supporting schedules for month-end close and revenue recognition in coordination with the responsible accounting personnel.

Inventory Close, Actual Costing & BOM Variance Analysis:

Lead the monthly inventory close process in D365 F&O, ensuring accurate actual costing calculations across all inventory transactions.
Manage and troubleshoot the D365 F&O actual costing close process, resolving costing errors and exceptions prior to period close.
Analyze and validate complex, multi-level bills of materials (BOMs) to ensure accurate cost rollups and component costing.
Perform detailed review of overhead absorption.
Investigate and explain cost variances at the BOM and routing level, identifying root causes such as material, labor, overhead, or scrap.
Review and close production orders.
Reconcile inventory valuation and work in progress (WIP) balances between D365 F&O subledgers and the general ledger following each costing close.
Partner with Operations to validate BOM accuracy and routing data feeding actual cost calculations. Ensure cost accounting setup on new BOMs and products are correct.

General Accounting Support:

Provide backup support for the Project Accountant and other accounting functions as needed.
Support audit processes and ensure data integrity within ERP.
Special projects as assigned.

Position Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
3–5 years of progressive accounting experience; manufacturing or government contracting experience preferred.
Experience with ERP systems required; Microsoft Dynamics D365 strongly preferred.
Solid understanding of GAAP and core accounting processes.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Familiarity with government contract accounting concepts preferred but not required.
NOTE: While experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and government contract accounting is a plus, we understand not every strong candidate will have hands on exposure to these specific systems or environments. If you have a solid accounting foundation and sharp attention to detail, we're willing to invest in training you on our ERP system, cost accounting processes, and contract structures. We're looking for the right analytical mindset and work ethic; we can teach the rest.
May participate in identity-verification processes required for government or customer portals.
This position may be asked to drive for company purposes during the course of employment. If asked and agreed upon, employees must possess a valid California Driver’s License and clean driving record.
May participate in the identity verification process to access secure client or government portals by authorizing certified supplier or customer management platforms to obtain information from your personal credit profile or other information, solely to verify your identity.

Physical Requirements

Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person, on the telephone or virtually.
Dexterity of hands, fingers, and wrist to operate a computer keyboard, calculator, or assemble/manufacture intricate items.
Seeing to read a variety of materials.
Sitting or standing for extended period of time.
Physical agility to lift 20 pounds to shoulder height.
Physical agility to lift, carry, push, or pull objects.

Pay/Salary Information

Pay Scale for this position is $90,940-$110,000 annual salary.

This is an onsite position.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the information provided within. You certify that the information contained in this application is correct to the best of your knowledge. You understand that to falsify information is grounds for refusing to hire, or for discharge should you be hired.

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