The Senior Cost Accountant will play a key role in managing inventory accounting and month-end close activities within a growing operational environment. This position is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of cost accounting, supporting operational scalability, and partnering cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Operations, and Procurement.
This role is particularly well suited for candidates with experience supporting organizations transitioning from a research and development (R&D) or pre-commercialization environment into scaled operations and production. The ideal candidate possesses strong ERP system experience, detailed knowledge of inventory subledgers and manufacturing processes, and the ability to establish scalable accounting procedures in a dynamic environment. This position reports to the Assistant Controller.
Responsibilities
- Lead the monthly inventory subledger reconciliation process, including reconciling transactions between our MES tool and ERP subledger
- Be a key contributor in building out the costing function
- Manage and execute month-end close activities related to cost accounting and fixed assets
- Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies, transactional exceptions, and reconciliation variances
- Analyze fluctuations and prepare variance analyses related to inventory, fixed assets, freight, scrap and overhead
- Assist with inventory reserve analyses including excess, obsolete, slow-moving, and scrap inventory assessments
- Review subledger exception reports and coordinate timely resolution with Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing and IT teams
- Support ERP optimization initiatives and process automation efforts related to inventory and cost accounting
- Identify opportunities for process standardization, automation, and internal control enhancement
- Assist with documentation of accounting policies, SOPs, and process narratives
- Participate in physical inventory counts and cycle count review procedures
- Support financial reporting and audit requests
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
- 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant inventory and cost accounting responsibilities
- Strong understanding of US GAAP and inventory accounting concepts
- Experience in a high-growth manufacturing or hardware environment
- Experience preparing journal entries, reconciliations, and financial analysis
- Experience reviewing inventory subledger activity and reconciling to the general ledger
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
- Experience working within ERP systems in a manufacturing or inventory-intensive environment
Attributes aligned with Core Values
- Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
- Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
- Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.
- Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
- Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
- Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
- 5+ years of progressive accounting experience including significant inventory and cost accounting responsibilities
- Strong understanding of US GAAP and inventory accounting concepts
- Experience in a high-growth manufacturing or hardware environment
- Experience preparing journal entries, reconciliations, and financial analysis
- Experience reviewing inventory subledger activity and reconciling to the general ledger
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
- Experience working within ERP systems in a manufacturing or inventory-intensive environment
- Eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at Palo Alto, CA
What We Do
Pivotal, founded by Melinda French Gates, is a group of organizations dedicated to accelerating social progress for women and young people globally. Through a combination of philanthropy, strategic investments, and advocacy, the organization works to drive momentum in areas with the greatest potential for impact. By supporting leaders and innovative ideas, Pivotal aims to expand women's power and influence, ultimately fostering a more equitable and inclusive future for everyone.
