Senior Cost Accountant II

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.  

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

FINANCE

Rocket Lab’s Finance team is responsible for all financial transactions for the company, operating as a well-oiled machine to maximize the value of our work. Our Finance team are made up of planners, analysts and accountants, and manage our policies, compliance, and reporting. They’re the ones who keep our financial operations in check, always thinking ahead and taking care to meet all of our financial, business, and government obligations. They’re attentive, diligent, and meticulous, and are mission-critical to Rocket Lab. 

SENIOR COST ACCOUNTANT II

Based onsite at Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, California the Senior Cost Accountant II will be responsible for the cost accounting function for the enterprise, inventory valuation, production orders cost analysis & aging, inventory reconciliations and SOX controls. This position requires the ability to develop and maintain accurate costing and valuation for inventory. The Senior Cost Accounting Analyst II will report to the Senior Cost Accounting Manager and work closely with accounting, and partner with various team members throughout the organization.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: 

• Month-end process preparing journal entries for inventory reconciliation, raw material cost allocations, reclassifying operating expenses and distributing manufacturing variances by-product and categories.
• Prepare monthly inventory reconciliation and SOX Controls.
• Generate quarterly slows moving inventory reserve reports and presentation for Management review and approval. Organize and set quarterly reserve meetings.
• Support OH updates, Labor Rates and items inventory revaluations.
• Analyze trends in cost variances, production volumes, and material usage and implement timely adjustments. Troubleshoot and research unexplained inventory transactions.
• Investigate cycle counting variances and resolve issues.
• Review and close work/production orders based on aging.
• Generate and distribute weekly/monthly/quarterly spend, inventory, and production reports as needed.
• Focus on improvement of all facets of cost accounting, inventory control, variance analysis, gross margin analysis, forecasting & system improvement.
• Establish cost accounting policies and procedures to arrive at accurate standards for inventory valuation.
• Collaborates with other department managers in reporting and reviewing various trends and key performance indicators.
• Initiate process improvement projects to update transactional, financial, and reporting processes.
• Provide support with internal and external audit requests.
• Ensuring compliance with GAAP and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+ years of experience in the general ledger and cost accounting area.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or equivalent combination of relevant education/ experience (12+ years of work experience).
• Strong skills in Inventory value, transaction, and variance analysis.
• Knowledge of Moving Average Unit Cost (MAUC), and Standard Cost process and calculation to support the accurate production cost and inventory valuation.
• Experience evaluating ERP System financial transactions to track and identified variances to correct inventory or production cost.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite - Especially advanced Excel skills.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment, preferably within the aerospace and defense industry.
• ERP experience using Infor LN, Oracle, JDE, SAP or similar ERP system.
• Experience building Squeal Queries and Power BI building reports. 
• Attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to prioritize.
• Independent problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal & written communication skills & the ability to explain complex information to others.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing. 
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.

WHAT TO EXPECT 

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.   

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant.  These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. 

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.  For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.