Cost Accounting Manager

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and analytical individual to lead the Cost Accounting Group (CAG) in the Enterprise Accounting Services Section. This role is part of the Accounting and Contracts Division, which supports the exploration and innovation of the laboratory's missions by performing professional accounting work. The position requires expertise in recording, classifying, examining, and analyzing costs across various projects and cost centers to ensure compliance with the prime contract, regulatory provisions, and the integrity of JPL's financials.

The Division's functions include Enterprise Accounting Services, Payment & Travel Services, and Contracts Management, Policy & Compliance Office. The Division ensures that JPL's finance and accounting policies and procedures are efficient, effective, and compliant with relevant regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage major accounting functions: project, property, manufacturing work in process, and service center accounting.
• Ensure the performance and productivity of employees under your supervision.
• Build and maintain a high-performance team, offering direction to meet organizational objectives.
• Ensure employees comply with Laboratory and Institutional policies, procedures, regulatory, and prime contract requirements.
• Maintain a safe and focused work environment.
• Hire, develop, and retain a diverse, highly skilled staff, providing career coaching and personal growth opportunities.
• Cultivate effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain adequate and effective internal controls to safeguard and properly record financial transactions.
• Develop and implement strategic goals for the Group, promoting continuous improvement, best practices, and efficiency in cost accounting and reporting operations.
• Employ industry best practices to ensure success and compliance within areas of responsibility.
• Support internal and external audits and reviews, regularly assessing and enhancing processes to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related experience; Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 7 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 5 years of related experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of lead experience.
• Knowledge in the Accounting field with significant expertise in project cost accounting, cost allocations, integrated financial management systems, and automated project cost systems.
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Demonstrated experience in leading work groups and teams.
• Extensive understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, and concepts in the accounting field, resulting in contributions to the development of new theories and methods.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex business system issues.
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and/or work in a team environment with a strong desire to manage in an organization dedicated to providing customer-focused services.

Desired Skills

• Wide-ranging experience and advanced knowledge in Federal government requirements, including those in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), NASA FAR, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Guidelines.
• Complete knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations across a range of applications.
• Considered an expert in Accounting Theory within your organization.
• MBA or equivalent with 10 years of progressive experience, including three years as a supervisor of a project/cost accounting organization.
• Experience resolving internal and external audit findings.
• Experience in dealing with post-implementation system and business process improvement issues.

Benefits

JPL offers a comprehensive catalog of benefits and perks, including:

• A variety of health, dental, and vision plans.
• Wellbeing and retirement plans.
• Paid time off.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Rideshare, childcare, and flexible schedule options.
• Parental leave.

For benefits-eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

Pay

The typical full-time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California is $138,632 - $174,304.