New

Accounting Manager

Vaco
$110,000.00 - $120,000.00 / yr
401(k), retirement plan, stock options
United States, California, Carlsbad
Apr 01, 2026
Title: Accounting Manager (GovCon & Payroll) Company: High?growth U.S. manufacturing company Compensation: $115K - $120K base + 10% bonus + stock options Location: North San Diego County, CA (Fully onsite) Overview This Accounting Manager role supports a rapidly growing U.S.?based manufacturer with a significant government?focused project portfolio. The position is highly hands?on, owning payroll, labor allocation, and government contract cost accounting while partnering closely with finance leadership and program teams. This role plays a critical part in ensuring accurate labor distribution, compliant cost reporting, and scalable accounting processes as the organization continues to expand. Why This Role Stands Out * Newly opened role during an active growth and scaling phase * Exposure to a manufacturing environment benefiting from U.S. re?industrialization trends * Clear path to expanded responsibility as the finance team continues to scale Key Responsibilities * Oversee payroll processing through a third?party provider, ensuring accurate and timely execution * Manage labor distribution and allocation of employee time across projects, cost centers, and indirect pools * Analyze labor costs and identify trends or issues impacting project performance and profitability * Support budgeting, tracking, and reporting for government?related contracts, grants, and programs * Assist with invoicing and cost reporting for time?and?materials and fixed?price arrangements * Develop and maintain labor rate tables, overhead calculations, and supporting cost models * Partner with finance leadership to support audits, compliance efforts, and reporting needs * Maintain strong documentation and internal controls related to payroll, labor, and cost accounting * Collaborate cross?functionally with operations, program teams, and finance staff Minimum Qualifications * 7-10 years of accounting experience within a government contracting or grant?driven environment * Strong background in payroll management and labor distribution * Experience allocating labor and costs across projects, programs, and cost centers * Advanced Excel skills for cost analysis, labor modeling, and forecasting * Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field Preferred Qualifications * Experience in manufacturing or cost?accounting?heavy environments * Exposure to government grants, programs, or regulated contract structures * CPA or CMA a plus * Organized, professional individual comfortable operating in a hands?on, scaling environment Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.