Senior Cost Accountant - Government Contracting (Accounts Payable, Job Costing)

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co .

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions

About the role

We are seeking a highly experienced and analytical Senior Accountant to manage the full cycle of Accounts Payable functions supporting government contract compliance and operations. This role focuses on AP job cost allocations, subcontractor invoice and corporate credit cards reconciliations, and processing a high volume of travel expenses. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of FAR/DFARS, Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), per diem policies, and sales & use tax accruals, ensuring financial accuracy and audit readiness across the organization.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

• Oversee full-cycle Accounts Payable (AP) processing, including coding, approvals, and disbursements in accordance with FAR-compliant accounting practices.

• Manage job cost coding and allocation to appropriate cost objectives, ensuring accuracy of direct and indirect charges and allowability determinations per FAR 31 and contractual terms.

• Perform subcontractor invoice reviews and reconciliations, ensuring alignment with contract terms, funding, and cost allowability.

• Process and audit employee travel expense reports, verifying compliance with company policy and JFTR/FTR regulations.

• Maintain and apply accurate per diem rates based on GSA schedules and contract-specific requirements.

• Calculate and record sales and use tax accruals for applicable purchases and ensure proper tax reporting and remittance.

• Maintain fixed assets and depreciation schedules per asset class, prepare and book adjusting entries as required.

• Collaborate with project managers, procurement, and contracts teams to validate costs and ensure timely invoice approvals and accruals.

• Maintain detailed and audit-ready documentation supporting AP transactions and travel expense reimbursements.

• Support month-end close activities including AP accruals, job cost reconciliations, and variance analysis.

• Assist in preparing schedules for DCAA, DCMA, and independent audits as needed.

• Prepare and file 1099MISC, 1099 NSC, 1098 fillings annually and assist with drafting responses to IRS inquiries.

• Provide support for continuous improvement of AP and job cost processes, identifying areas for increased efficiency and internal control.

We're looking for someone who has:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.

• 5+ years of accounting experience within a federal government contracting environment, with a strong focus on accounts payable and job costing.

• Advanced understanding of FAR/DFARS cost principles, allowability and government accounting standards.

• Proven experience processing and auditing travel expense reports in compliance with JFTR, FTR, and federal per diem rules.

• Strong background in job cost allocation, cost segregation, and subcontractor invoice tracking.

• Knowledge of sales and use tax accruals, thresholds, and multistate compliance.

• Proficiency with ERP systems such as PROCAS, Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, or similar platforms.

• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills: able to perform reconciliations and build cost reports.

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail; able to prioritize and manage multiple deliverables.

• Ability to gain a US Government security clearance

Nice to have:

• Experience supporting DCAA or DCMA audits.

• Familiarity with JFTR travel guidelines, ITAR, and other government regulatory frameworks.

• Prior experience in defense DoD contracting environment.

• Active Secret Clearance

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.