Senior Accountant — Remote, California | Pacific Executive Search

Senior Accountant

(Job ID: 1969)

Remote, California

Off-Site

Direct Hire

Aerospace/Defense

$100,000 – $125,000 base

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Overview

Join a leading technology solutions provider in the defense and aerospace sector as a Senior Accountant. In this pivotal role, you will ensure the accuracy of financial reporting and compliance with government accounting requirements while driving process improvements in a dynamic environment. This position offers significant career growth opportunities and the chance to work collaboratively with a team committed to innovation and excellence, all while supporting critical national security initiatives.

Responsibilities

Oversee general ledger accounting, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close activities to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
Support payroll accounting functions, including related journal entries and reconciliations, to maintain financial integrity.
Prepare and review monthly financial packages, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
Actively participate in the monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting close processes, driving efficiency and accuracy.
Collaborate with internal and external auditors to address requests and inquiries, ensuring compliance with SOX and internal controls.
Conduct ad-hoc financial analysis as needed, utilizing various reports and statements to inform decision-making.
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and accuracy across accounting functions.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance, or equivalent combination of experience and education.
5 - 10 years of relevant accounting or finance experience, with a strong understanding of regulatory compliance in the defense and aerospace sectors.
Proficiency in Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP system and advanced Excel skills.
Experience with government contracting and knowledge of FAR/CAS regulations.
Nice-to-Have:
Master's degree or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation with public accounting experience.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues and develop innovative solutions in a fast-paced environment.
Strong initiative, collaboration skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do companies mis-hire at the Senior Accountant level?
Because they hire based on task lists instead of ownership. Two candidates may both mention reconciliations, journal entries, and close support, but only one has truly owned balance sheet areas, resolved issues independently, worked directly with auditors, and operated with minimal supervision. Titles vary widely in the market. Ownership is the more reliable signal.
When is a Senior Accountant actually ready for promotion?
Usually when they stop simply executing assigned work and start identifying issues before they surface. Promotion to Accounting Manager or a broader leadership track is less about how many close tasks someone can perform and more about whether they have become a source of reliability, judgment, and escalation control.
Is the CPA really required for roles like this?
Sometimes yes, and often functionally yes even when the posting says "preferred." At leadership levels especially, the CPA frequently acts as a credibility signal for hiring managers, auditors, lenders, investors, or boards. There are exceptions, but in many accounting searches it remains one of the clearest markers of technical foundation.
How do strong candidates typically evaluate opportunities like this?
Strong candidates rarely evaluate a role based on title alone. They look at what the position actually owns, how the function is viewed internally, whether the environment is stable or in transition, and what success will realistically look like in the first 6 to 12 months. Many first discover a role through a posting, but the strongest career decisions usually come from understanding the context behind the opportunity, not just the job description. In accounting and finance hiring, that level of context is often what separates a lateral move from a meaningful one. Learn more about how strategic accounting and finance searches differ from transactional recruiting.
Why is direct SOX or SEC reporting experience still so valuable?
Because it usually reflects exposure to real deadlines, real scrutiny, and repeatable compliance discipline. It is difficult to simulate that background without having lived it, and the learning curve can be expensive in roles where reporting accuracy and controls matter immediately.

Senior Accountant

Overview

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

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