Senior Cost & Project Accountant

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,300 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.

SENIOR COST ACCOUNTANT

Based at Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, California the Senior Cost Accountant will be responsible for the cost analysis and overtime customer contract revenue, cost of sales, project inventory and estimated margin analysis. This position requires the ability to maintain accurate revenue and cost of sales for significant Rocket Lab customer contracts.

 The Senior Cost & Project Accountant will report to Cost Accounting Manager and work closely with the accounting team and partner with various team members throughout the organization.

What you'll get to do: 

• Responsible for the Project Revenue & Cost Recognition
• Reconcile Customer Contract Backlog and Customer Contract Asset & Liability
• Track and reconcile project inventory WIP
• Support EAC cycle for project estimates and revenue recognition.
• Adheres to company policies and procedures Role Specific Deliverables/Outcomes Project Cost and Contract Activities
• Update Contract Backlog Report with fully approved new contracts that meet the 5 Steps of the 606 Accounting Revenue Standard
• Update Contract Backlog with contract values updates from customer changes due to contract scope updates
• Organize monthly meetings with Project Managers and Planners to evaluate and to document project progress
• Manage Customer Milestone Progress billing process
• Calculate the EAC changes impact to contract EAC margin and report management the overall impact to estimated cost to complete
• Publish monthly Projects Estimated Margin Variance Report for Overtime and Point in Time Contracts
• Initiate process improvement projects to update transactional, financial, and reporting processes.

Month End Activities

• Prepare and update project inventory schedules
• Book monthly journal entries to recognize OT and PIT Revenue and cost of sales
• Analyze and reconcile monthly inventory and Sales & Cost of Goods Sold Accounts
• Book monthly Journal entries and Reconcile Contract Asset and Contract Liability
• Complete revenue and cost of sales - SOX Control Requirements
• Support quarterly Revenue and Backlog Flex Analysis
• Prepare quarterly overtime contracts “Revenue and Cost” Auditors Schedule Others
• Develop Project Cost processes as required Skills and Experience Essential

You'll bring these qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or commerce
• Strong cost accounting experience in a complex manufacturing environment
• Strong systems knowledge and experience in tier 1 ERP system
• Proven experience in providing financial decision support

These Qualifications would be nice to have: 

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to explain project cost information to others
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills Desirable
• Preferred Experience in multinational and multi-currency environment

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. 

In addition to base salary, Rocket Lab offers a comprehensive total compensation offer package based on individual qualifications and experience, including company stock. Employees will also be eligible for medical, dental, vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan options, and to purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab's Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Pay Range (CA Only)

$100,000—$112,000 USD

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S Department of State.

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.

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.