Cost Accountant

Cost AccountantILIA is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Cost Accountant to help support inventory and cost accounting activities in a fast-growing consumer goods environment. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory and COGS reporting, supporting month-end close, and driving cost tracking related to production, freight, and warehousing. Working within a shared services structure, the Cost Accountant collaborates closely with Accounting, Supply Chain, and Operations to ensure accurate product costing, timely inventory reconciliation, and strong internal controls that scale with the business.This role is hybrid, open to candidates based in Southern California and will report on-site at our Laguna Beach, CA office 1-2x week.Key ResponsibilitiesInventory & Cost AccountingSupport month-end close activities related to inventory, COGS, and cost-related accruals; ensure accurate cut-off and proper classification of inventory-related spendPrepare and maintain inventory reconciliations between the ERP system (NetSuite preferred), 3PL reports, and the general ledger on a monthly basisAssist with landed cost tracking, including freight, duties, and other inbound logistics costs; ensure proper allocation to inventorySupport cost updates and review standard costs, purchase price variances (PPV), and bill of materials (BOM) costing to ensure accuracyTrack and analyze inventory adjustments, write-offs, and reserves for obsolete, slow-moving, or damaged inventoryPartner with Supply Chain and Operations teams to validate inventory movements and ensure financial reporting reflects actual inventory positionsAssist with cycle count and physical inventory processes, including variance investigation, root cause analysis, and reconciliation to the general ledgerGeneral Accounting & Month-End Close:Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes; prepare journal entries and supporting schedules related to inventory, COGS, accruals, and reservesTake ownership of miscellaneous month-end accounting tasks as assigned, including prepaid amortization, accrual true-ups, intercompany entries, and other general ledger close items to ensure completeness and accuracy of the financial closePrepare and review account reconciliations across assigned general ledger accounts; investigate and resolve reconciling items on a timely basisFlex to support the broader Accounting team during peak close periods, including assistance with journal entries, reconciliations, and ad hoc tasks across departments as neededMaintain organized documentation and supporting schedules to support external audits, internal reviews, and compliance requestsEnsure compliance with GAAP, internal accounting policies, and Shared Services procedures; flag exceptions or control gaps to the Accounting ManagerAssist with SOX-readiness, internal control documentation, and remediation of audit findings as applicableReporting & Analysis:Prepare cost and inventory variance analyses, including PPV, absorption variances, and freight cost trends; summarize findings for the Accounting Manager and Finance leadershipSupport analysis of obsolete inventory, slow-moving stock, and inventory reserve movements on a monthly basisAssist in the preparation of balance sheet reconciliations and P&L fluctuation commentary related to cost and inventory accountsProvide ad hoc cost and inventory reporting to support cross-functional teams including Operations, Supply Chain, and FP&AProcess Improvement, AI & Systems:Actively leverage AI tools and automation technologies to drive efficiencies across accounting workflows — including reconciliations, journal entry preparation, variance analysis, and close reporting — reducing manual effort and improving accuracyIdentify opportunities to apply AI-assisted solutions to standardize and scale recurring accounting processes; champion adoption of new tools within the Shared Services teamUse AI and data tools to improve team productivity — including building smarter reporting templates, automating routine data pulls, and accelerating the preparation of supporting schedules and close packagesPartner with Accounting and IT teams to optimize ERP workflows and reporting (NetSuite preferred); support system enhancements, integrations, and data integrity initiativesMaintain and update SOPs and process documentation for inventory and general accounting procedures; ensure documentation reflects current AI-enabled workflows and supports scalability and audit readinessPerformance Metrics & KPIs:The Cost Accountant supports tracking and reporting of the following key performance indicators:Inventory reconciliation accuracy and timeliness (ERP vs.

3PL vs. GL)Month-end close task completion within established deadlinesPPV and landed cost variance trends by supplier/freight laneCycle count completion rates and variance resolution turnaroundInventory reserve adequacy – obsolete and slow-moving exposureAudit support schedule accuracy and on-time deliveryJob RequirementsBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required2–4+ years of accounting experience; prior exposure to inventory or cost accounting in a consumer goods, CPG, or manufacturing environment strongly preferredExperience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred); advanced Excel skills requiredWorking knowledge of GAAP; CPA or CMA pursuit a plusExperience in a Shared Services or high-volume transactional accounting environment a plusDemonstrated interest in or experience with AI tools, automation platforms, or data analytics in an accounting or finance context strongly preferredWhat we would like to offer...$120,000-130,000 annually*Bonus OpportunityHealth Benefits - 100% employer-paid medical, dental & vision coverageFlex Time Off - No cap on personal time off and paid company holidaysSeasonal Flex Days - Flexible scheduling to enjoy extra time under the sun during the Spring & Summer seasonParental Leave - Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave401(k) - Save for your future with a 401(k) with a company matchFlexibility & Wellness Stipends - Monthly stipends to support remote work & self-careILIA Products - Quarterly stipend to replenish your favorite products and try new ones