Cost Accounting Lead

The Cost Accounting Lead will be responsible for building and scaling the cost accounting function and supporting systems, as well as supporting accounting efforts related to deployed inventory. This role owns the inputs behind Base's most important number — fully landed cost per kWh — which determines how affordable and reliable we can make power for members. This role will partner closely with operations, engineering, supply chain, and finance teams to support a smooth production ramp-up and ensure accurate financial data capture throughout the process. Supported by best-in-class technology resources and tools, this position offers a unique opportunity to join at the ground level and shape the systems and processes from the start.

What You’ll Do

• Own and maintain standard cost methodologies for materials, labor and overhead.
• Lead inventory accounting system and process design, including BOM definitions, routings, and item master governance, in partnership with operations and engineering.
• Establish and maintain cost accounting policies and processes in accordance with US GAAP, including the ongoing documentation thereof.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, supply chain, finance and others to resolve inventory discrepancies and improve internal controls.
• Own inventory valuation, reserves, and capitalization rules for tooling and builds.
• Conduct routine analysis of material and production variances, partnering with operations to identify root causes and recommend improvement opportunities.
• Support physical inventory counts, and own related adjustments in ERP.
• Support month end close through ownership of the inventory and related production accounts, ensuring timely and accurate reconciliation.
• Support the accounting of deployed battery systems, including the system deployments, installations, system and component swaps, and returns.
• Serve as an educator to the business of key accounting rules and practices in the realm of inventory and costing.
• Maintain a "no job too small" mentality, being able to perform other procedures within the general scope of this role.

What You’ll Bring

• 7+ years of manufacturing and cost accounting experience, including experience owning and scaling a standard costing function and managing people and processes.
• Expert knowledge of standard costing, BOM's, routings, and inventory accounting.
• CMA or CPA, preferred.
• Advanced ERP experience, preferably in Netsuite.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including excel, word, and powerpoint.
• Strong variance and root cause analysis experience.
• Clear communication skills, demonstrating the ability to partner across functional groups (supply chain, engineering, operations, finance).
• Exposure to energy hardware or other complex assemblies.
• Experience or desire to operate in a high-growth environment.

Please note: Base is a startup, which means priorities shift and evolve quickly. Your role may expand or change based on the needs of the business at any given time, so the responsibilities listed may not be exhaustive.