Cost Accountant

SUMMARY:
A leading manufacturing company based on the East Rand is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Cost Accountant to join its finance team. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate product costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing cost analysis, and providing financial insights to improve profitability and operational efficiency. This role requires close collaboration with production, procurement, warehouse, and finance teams to ensure accurate reporting and effective cost control across the business.

POSITION INFO:

Key Responsibilities

Cost Accounting & Analysis

• Develop, maintain, and review standard costing models for all products.
• Perform detailed product cost calculations and profitability analyses.
• Monitor and analyse material, labour, and overhead costs.
• Conduct variance analysis on production costs and investigate discrepancies.
• Prepare and review bills of materials (BOMs) and routing structures.
• Analyse manufacturing efficiencies and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support pricing decisions through detailed costing and margin analysis.
• Assist management with strategic cost reduction initiatives.

Inventory Management & Control

• Ensure accurate inventory valuation in accordance with company policies and accounting standards.
• Monitor stock movements and reconcile inventory records.
• Investigate inventory variances, stock losses, and production discrepancies.
• Participate in regular cycle counts and annual stock takes.
• Ensure proper costing of raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods.
• Review slow-moving, obsolete, and excess inventory and provide recommendations.

Manufacturing Finance Support

• Partner with production and operations teams to understand manufacturing processes and cost drivers.
• Monitor production performance against budgets and standards.
• Analyse machine utilisation, labour efficiencies, and production yields.
• Evaluate manufacturing performance and identify areas for operational improvement.
• Assist in developing key manufacturing performance indicators (KPIs).

Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly cost accounting reports and management information.
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial close processes.
• Reconcile inventory-related general ledger accounts.
• Prepare monthly manufacturing cost reports and variance reports.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Assist with audit requests and provide supporting documentation.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and rolling forecasts.
• Monitor actual performance against budget.
• Analyse deviations and provide recommendations to management.
• Support capital expenditure evaluations and business cases.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company policies and financial procedures.
• Maintain strong internal controls over inventory and manufacturing costs.
• Assist with the implementation and enhancement of financial controls.
• Support external and internal audit processes.
• Ensure adherence to IFRS and relevant accounting standards.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• BCom Accounting, BCom Cost & Management Accounting, CIMA, or equivalent qualification.
• Completed CIMA qualification or studies in progress will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in a Cost Accountant role.
• Manufacturing industry experience is essential.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory management, and production reporting.
• Experience working in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to ERP systems within a manufacturing environment.