Principal Cost Accountant
At a glance
Senior Accounting role at Leonardo DRS. Melbourne · no salary stated · we estimate $85,000–$127,488 across the United States.
Leonardo DRS has not published a salary for this role. The figure below is our estimate, not theirs.
financeroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Lead complex cost analyses and special projects, then present your findings to senior management
- Build and review company forecasts, comparing planned figures with actual expenses
- Explain manufacturing variances and help managers resolve issues shown in accounting reports
- Prepare cost reports, collect labor and materials cost data, and check that costs follow allocation procedures
- Support audits, guide less experienced staff, and improve the cost accounting system
What you bring
- A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field, plus at least eight years of relevant experience
- Experience analyzing manufacturing variances, including inventory, bills of material, scrap or yield
- Working knowledge of ERP and MRP systems, with U.S. citizenship required
- An active DOD clearance or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable time after starting
Who this fits
This senior role suits an experienced cost accountant who can lead analyses and advise management while supporting junior staff. The position is based in Melbourne, Florida, with hybrid work preferred and remote work possible. The schedule follows a 9/80 program.
From the employer
Job ID: 114733
Location: Melbourne FL (Hybrid preferred, possibility for Remote work)
Schedule: 9/80
The Electro Optical Infrared Systems (EOIS) line of business within DRS has locations in Dallas and Austin, TX, Melbourne, FL, and Cypress, CA. EOIS develops, manufactures, and supports infrared and electro-optical solutions for soldiers, ground vehicles and airborne platforms. We offer an exciting and challenging work environment, a competitive salary and benefits package, and a business culture that rewards performance.
Employing the world’s brightest. Supporting the world’s bravest.
Job Summary
The Principal Cost Accountant provides advanced business operations and cost accounting expertise, leading complex analyses, forecasts, and special projects that support strategic decision-making across the organization. This role interprets accounting data and manufacturing variances, ensures proper cost allocation, prepares and reviews cost and forecast reports, supports audits, and presents key findings and recommendations to senior management. The position also serves as a resource to leadership and less experienced staff and enhances the cost accounting systems and processes.
Job Responsibilities
- Perform highly complex tasks for Business Operations
- Demonstrate expert knowledge of accounting standards and practices
- Conduct independent research and apply analytical and problem solving skills to lead and complete numerous and diverse special projects
- Present findings of work to senior management
- Prepare, consolidate and review company forecasts
- Provide assistance to management, interpreting accounting reports and identifying and resolving problem areas
- Analyze and explain manufacturing variances
- Provide guidance to less experienced staff members
- Assist in audits
- Prepare and analyze cost reports
- Conduct analysis comparing forecasts with actual expenses
- Ensure that costs are allocated in accordance with established procedures
- Gather cost data on labor, material and subcontract costs, etc.
- May assist with gross margin analysis
- May be involved with the administration and enhancement of the cost accounting system
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field with 8+ years directly related experience (Manufacturing, etc.), preferably in a defense/government contracting environment (or equivalent combination of education/training and experience)
- Experience with Manufacturing Operations Variance Analysis (excess and obsolete inventory analysis, Bill of Material (BOM), attrition rate analysis, scrap/yield analysis, etc.)
- Working knowledge of ERP (Costpoint preferred) and MRP (supply chain)
U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.
Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only
Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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