Finance & Operations Associate

Our client, a specialized engineering firm supporting aerospace and U.S. defense applications is seeking a Finance & Operations Associate for a full-time employee opportunity.

U.S. Citizenship Required-This role will be working w/ Military, Government and DOD Contracts

Onsite M-F in San Diego, CA

Pays between $65K-$80K

Local Candidates within a 45-min to 1 hour commute to San Diego need apply

We are seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Finance & Operations Associate to support our growing team. This role has a strong emphasis on bookkeeping and financial operations, making it ideal for someone who enjoys accounting-focused work and is looking for a long-term opportunity in this area.

Key Responsibilities

1. Accounting & Financial Operations (Primary Focus)

• Review bills and invoices for accuracy and proper expense classification
• Collect and verify employee timesheets in a timely manner
• Transfer timekeeping data into QuickBooks for monthly accounting reviews
• Manage and reconcile employee credit card receipts and expenses
• Maintain organized financial records (receipts, invoices, expense reports, etc.)
• Support monthly and annual closing processes with external accountants
• Process travel and expense reports, ensuring policy compliance and reimbursements
• Generate quarterly Inventory Balance Sheets (Excel)
• Resolve transportation and customs duty disputes with carriers

2. Purchasing & Supply Chain

• Create and manage purchase orders through the company’s ERP system
• Source, purchase, and track equipment, components, and office supplies
• Obtain vendor quotes and recommend suppliers for major purchases or services
• Support inventory planning and supply chain operations
• Maintain and update inventory and supply chain spreadsheet

3. Marketing & HR Support

• Update and maintain the company website (team updates, news, job postings)
• Manage inventory and ordering of company apparel and branded items
• Assist with client gifting and brand presentation initiatives
• Maintain and update the Employee Handbook (policies & benefits)
• Plan and coordinate company events (team lunches, celebrations, holiday events, etc.)

4. Administrative & Operational Support

• Assist with international shipment tracking and customs clearance issues
• Support customers with shipment delays and logistics troubleshooting
• Serve as backup for logistics operations (FedEx, UPS, DHL shipping & documentation)
• Provide backup support for production scheduling communications
• Assist with receiving parts and preparing production batches during peak periods
• Participate in departmental and cross-functional planning meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Finance or Accounting
• 2–5 years of relevant experience (strong preference for bookkeeping/accounting experience)
• Experience with QuickBooks is a must
• Open to candidates with additional experience, provided they are interested in remaining hands-on with bookkeeping long-term
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Must be a U.S. Citezen

Nice to Have:

• Experience with project management tools (Asana, MS Project, ClickUp, Jira)
• Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Dynamics 365)

What We’re Looking For

• A proactive, self-starter with a “can-do” attitude
• Someone who enjoys bookkeeping and is comfortable owning these responsibilities long-term
• Strong problem-solving and follow-through skills
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
• High level of accuracy and accountability
• Comfortable working across multiple functions (finance, operations, HR, logistics)

What is offered

Offers very competitive compensation including a competitive base salary depending on the candidate’s credentials and experience level, a discretionary yearly performance-based bonus, discretionary yearly merit raise, paid vacation, and 10 paid holidays per year. Benefits include medical, dental, workers’ compensation, disability, and life insurance as well as a 401K program with matching and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program.