Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant - Food ManufacturingA leading food and beverage manufacturing company is seeking a Cost Accountant to support plant finance, production cost analysis, inventory accuracy, and monthly close. This role works closely with the Plant Controller and partners with production, supply chain, warehouse, inventory, AP, and plant leadership to explain cost drivers, resolve variances, and improve reporting accuracy.This is a 6-month onsite contract with potential to convert or extend based on performance, attendance, culture fit, and business need.Location: City of Industry, CASchedule: OnsitePay: $43.92 per hour, based on current client markup calculationContract Length: 6 months, with potential to convert or extendResponsibilitiesDevelop and maintain standard costs for raw materials, labor, and overhead.Analyze daily production activity and compare standard costs to actual production costs.Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly variance reporting for plant management.Investigate material, labor, overhead, production, and inventory variances; identify root causes and recommend corrective actions.Verify daily production postings to ensure inventory and production activity are reported accurately.Manage and review inventory transactions for the plant and 3PL activity.Lead or support inventory cycle counts, inventory audits, reconciliations, and discrepancy resolution.Support monthly close activities, including manufacturing variance preparation, journal support, reconciliations, and supporting analysis.Collaborate with production, supply chain, warehouse, operations, AP, and finance teams to resolve cost, inventory, and invoice issues.Investigate and resolve Accounts Payable issues tied to plant receipts, inventory, vendor invoices, or production activity.Assist with annual budget preparation, periodic forecasts, and cost analysis for new product development.Ensure compliance with internal controls, financial policies, GAAP, and relevant accounting standards.Prepare and present cost reports, findings, and recommendations to plant leadership.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.2+ years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing.Food, beverage, CPG, dairy, plant-based, ingredients, packaging, or other plant manufacturing experience strongly preferred.Experience with standard costing, manufacturing variance analysis, inventory accounting, and monthly close.Strong Excel skills, including pivots, lookups, formulas, and large data sets.ERP experience such as SAP, Oracle, JDE, or a similar system.Ability to analyze complex financial and operational data and explain findings clearly to non-finance partners.Strong attention to detail, follow-through, and problem-solving ability.Ability to work independently while partnering closely with cross-functional plant teams.Knowledge of GAAP and accounting controls.Familiarity with operational excellence, continuous improvement, or root-cause analysis is a plus.Contract benefitsEligible CRG contract employees may have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage after 30 days of employment, along with weekly pay, direct deposit, referral bonus opportunities, and support from the CRG recruiting and account management team throughout the assignment. 401(k) eligibility begins after 12 months as a CRG employee. Benefit eligibility, plan details, waiting periods, and employee costs should be confirmed during onboarding.California generally requires eligible employees, including temporary workers who meet the requirements, to receive at least 40 hours or 5 days of paid sick leave per year.