Cost Accountant

Description We are looking for a Cost Accountant to join a finance team in Yuba City, California on a Contract basis. This role will provide hands-on support for plant and operational finance activities, with a strong focus on cost accounting, reporting, and month-end processes. The position is ideal for someone who can work independently, analyze complex cost data, and partner effectively with finance and operations stakeholders during a high-priority interim engagement.

Responsibilities:

- Contribute to monthly close activities by reviewing cost centers, preparing accruals and reclassifications, reconciling accounts, and investigating cost variances.

- Analyze manufacturing and operational performance by reporting on production results, yield trends, labor spending, freight, utilities, and other facility-related costs.

- Maintain and support product costing processes, including standard cost updates, cost rollups, allocation checks, and master data accuracy within SAP.

- Create recurring financial reports, dashboards, scorecards, and management review materials for finance and operations leaders.

- Perform profitability reviews and develop ad hoc analyses focused on margin performance, cost behavior, and business drivers.

- Partner with cross-functional teams to validate costing inputs and ensure reporting reflects current operational and financial data.

- Provide practical day-to-day finance support across recurring deliverables while helping the team manage interim workload demands. Requirements - Experience in cost accounting, manufacturing finance, and general accounting within a production-oriented environment.

- Hands-on SAP knowledge, including familiarity with finance, costing, material master data, standard costing, cost centers, and reporting workflows.

- Strong capability in financial analysis, including management reporting, variance interpretation, and preparation of business review materials.

- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to work through large data sets, reconcile discrepancies, and present findings clearly.

- Ability to manage deadlines independently while maintaining accuracy across multiple priorities.

- Effective communication skills and a collaborative approach when working with finance, operations, and other business partners.

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

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

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit  for more information.

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