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.