Cost Accountant

Description We are looking for a Cost Accountant to join a Contract position supporting finance operations in Yuba City, California. This role will provide hands-on assistance with core cost accounting, plant finance reporting, and month-end activities in a manufacturing-focused environment. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical ability, practical experience with costing processes, and the confidence to manage recurring deliverables as well as time-sensitive ad hoc requests.

Responsibilities:

- Contribute to monthly close activities by reviewing cost centers, preparing accruals and reclassification entries, completing account reconciliations, and explaining spending and volume variances.

- Produce and interpret manufacturing finance reporting related to production results, yield performance, labor efficiency, freight, utilities, and other facility-driven costs.

- Maintain and support costing data within SAP, including standard cost updates, allocation checks, master data accuracy, and cost rollup preparation.

- Develop recurring financial reports, dashboards, scorecards, and management presentation materials in collaboration with finance and operations stakeholders.

- Perform margin and profitability reviews to help identify cost drivers, trends, and opportunities for operational improvement.

- Provide dependable day-to-day finance support during an interim coverage period, balancing routine reporting with unplanned analytical requests.

- Partner with cross-functional teams to validate cost information and ensure reporting aligns with operational activity and business expectations. Requirements - Experience in cost accounting, manufacturing accounting, or operational finance is required.

- Working knowledge of SAP is required, particularly within finance, reporting, cost centers, material costing, and standard cost processes.

- Strong Excel skills with the ability to analyze large data sets, reconcile discrepancies, and present clear conclusions.

- Background in month-end close, variance analysis, and management reporting is required.

- Ability to work independently, stay organized, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

- Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate with finance and operations partners.

- Experience in manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, or consumer products environments is preferred.

- Familiarity with product costing, bills of materials, procurement pricing, co-pack costing, and profitability analysis is preferred.

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