Best suited to experienced manufacturing accountants working in renewable energy and tech sectors, with a focus on ERP systems and cross-functional collaboration in San Francisco.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from Span via Ashby
OUR MISSION
SPAN IS ENABLING ELECTRIFICATION FOR ALL ⚡
WE ARE A MISSION-DRIVEN COMPANY DESIGNING, BUILDING, AND DEPLOYING PRODUCTS THAT ELECTRIFY THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS, AND SLOW THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
- Decarbonization is the process to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, from entering our atmosphere.
- Electrification is the process of replacing fossil fuel appliances that run on gas or oil with all-electric upgrades for a cleaner way to power our lives.
AT SPAN, WE BELIEVE IN:
- Enabling homes and vehicles powered by clean energy
- Making electrification upgrades possible
- Building more resilient homes with reliable backup
- Designing a flexible and distributed electrical grid
THE ROLE
Span is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to be part of our cost accounting function as we scale hardware manufacturing. This role is central to maintaining accurate product cost data, supporting financial close, and partnering with cross-functional teams to drive operational and financial performance. The ideal candidate brings deep manufacturing accounting expertise, hands-on experience with consignment arrangements, and the business acumen to work fluidly across Finance, Supply Chain, and Operations.
About You
Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and accruals
- Minimum 3-5 years hands-on experience with contract manufacturing and consignment inventory accounting in a manufacturing or hardware environment.
- Must have experience running the accounting close process and managing expectations, communications and deadlines
- Must have experience with month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, and flux/variance analysis
- Direct experience with inventory accounting and the associated controls and reconciliation processes
- Experience with month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, and flux/variance analysis
- Must have a recent proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, with intermediate to advanced Excel skills
- Must have proficiency with NetSuite. Experience with FloQast or Blackline and Boomi is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional relationships and communicate financial concepts clearly to non-finance partners
- Agile, adaptable, and a fast learner, comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Proactive, self-motivated, takes initiative and ability to work with little supervision
- Team player with a positive attitude; flexible to adapt to changing needs/priorities.
Bonus Qualifications
- Progressive cost accounting experience in a manufacturing or hardware environment
- Public accounting experience preferred
- CPA preferred
Responsibilities, Duties, and Expectations:
Cost Accounting & Standard Costing
- Analyze and report purchase price variance (PPV), manufacturing variance, and overhead absorption variance; investigate root causes and partner with stakeholders to resolve
- Maintain bill of materials (BOM) and routing accuracy within the ERP system; coordinate with Engineering and Operations to ensure cost data integrity
Inventory Accounting
- Own inventory valuation and reconciliation across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods under GAAP
- Coordinate and lead periodic physical inventory counts and cycle counts; investigate and resolve count discrepancies
- Monitor and account for inventory reserves, including slow-moving, excess, and obsolete (SLOB) inventory; prepare aging analysis and recommend reserve adjustments
- Reconcile inventory balances monthly; ensure accurate cut-off and proper period-end treatment
- Support ERP enhancements, process improvements, and system implementations related to inventory and costing
Consignment Accounting
- Manage full-cycle consignment accounting for both customer-held and supplier-held inventory arrangements
- Maintain consignment inventory schedules, track transfers in and out, and ensure timely and accurate recognition of consignment sales and returns
- Develop and enforce internal controls around consignment tracking; perform periodic reconciliations against counterparty records
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Legal to evaluate new consignment agreements and ensure accounting treatment aligns with contract terms and GAAP
Month-End Close & Reporting
- Co-manage the close process, including preparation and posting of journal entries for COGS, inventory adjustments, and manufacturing variances
- Prepare monthly management reports covering gross margin by product line, cost trends, and variance explanations for Finance leadership
- Maintain supporting schedules and documentation to audit-ready standards.
- Identify and implement close process improvements to reduce cycle time and improve accuracy
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Partner with FP&A on annual budget and quarterly forecast for COGS, manufacturing overhead, and inventory; provide cost inputs and scenario analysis for margin modeling
- Work with Supply Chain on supplier cost changes and new product introductions (NPI) cost builds
- Collaborate with the broader Accounting team on process improvements, systems enhancements, and policy development
LIFE AT SPAN
Headquartered in San Francisco’s vibrant SoMa neighborhood, we are an eclectic group of creative thinkers who value open communication, teamwork, and a ‘make it happen’ approach to addressing complex challenges.
SPAN embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
We’re hiring talented individuals who are driven by success and are passionate about shaping the future of renewable energy. If that sounds like you, we’d love for you to consider joining the rapidly growing team at SPAN.
THE PERKS:
⚡ Competitive compensation + equity grants at a well-funded, venture-backed company
⚡ Comprehensive benefits: 100% employee premiums for base plans on medical, dental, vision with options for additional coverage. Parental leave up to twenty four (24) weeks depending on eligibility
⚡ Comfortable, sunny office space located near BART and Caltrain public transit
⚡ Strong focus on team building and company culture: Employee Resource Groups, monthly social events, SPANcakes recognition breakfast, lunch, and learns
⚡ Flexible hours, one holiday per month, and flexible time off
Interested in joining our team? Apply today and we’ll be in touch with the next steps!
Source: Span careers (Ashby)