Cost Accountant

SUMMARY:
Cost Accountant - QSR - Newland East, Durban.

POSITION INFO:
Our reputable QSR \/ Food Manufacturing client is currently seeking an experienced Cost Accountant to join their Finance team based at their Sauce Plant in Newlands East, Durban. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting and managing key areas of the plant finance function, with a strong focus on costing, Bills of Materials (BOMs), inventory management, Work in Progress (WIP) reconciliations, variance analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. The ideal candidate will have previous Cost Accounting experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably within food production, FMCG or a similar high-volume production environment. This is a hands-on role requiring an analytical and detail-oriented finance professional who can work closely with Finance, Production, Warehouse and Operations teams to ensure accurate costing, effective inventory controls, and reliable financial reporting. Minimum Requirements Qualifications - Tertiary qualification in Financial Management, Accounting, Finance, or a related field. - CIMA qualification or studies will be advantageous. - Valid Code 8 driver's license. - Own reliable vehicle. Experience - Minimum 2+ years' experience as a Cost Accountant or in a closely related Cost & Management Accounting role. - Previous experience within a manufacturing environment is essential. - Experience within food production, FMCG, QSR manufacturing or a similar high-volume production environment is highly advantageous. - Practical experience in costing and Bills of Materials (BOMs). - Experience with inventory management and stock controls. - Strong experience conducting WIP reconciliations and variance analysis. - Experience in financial and management reporting. - Practical exposure to budgeting and forecasting. - Experience using Sage 200 Evolution or a similar accounting system will be advantageous. Essential Skills & Technical Knowledge Candidates must have strong practical knowledge and experience in: - Cost Accounting and product costing. - Bills of Materials (BOMs). - Inventory management and stock control. - Work in Progress (WIP) reconciliations. - Cost, material, and inventory variance analysis. - Financial and management reporting. - Budget preparation and monitoring. - Forecasting. - General Ledger reconciliations. - Internal financial controls. - Cost reduction and margin improvement. - Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. - Accounting\/ERP systems. Key Responsibilities Costing & Bills of Materials - Maintain accurate product costing and Bills of Materials (BOMs). - Ensure costing information accurately reflects raw materials, production activity, and finished products. - Ensure raw materials are correctly transferred into Work in Progress before production commences. - Monitor product costs and investigate costing discrepancies. - Work closely with Production and Operations to maintain accurate costing information. - Inventory Management & WIP - Monitor and manage financial controls relating to raw materials, WIP and finished goods inventory. - Conduct weekly and month-end WIP reconciliations. - Monitor production movements and ensure transactions are accurately reflected within the accounting system. - Investigate discrepancies between physical stock movements and system records. - Assist in strengthening inventory controls and improving stock accuracy. Variance Analysis - Analyze material, stock, production, and cost variances. - Investigate significant variances and identify underlying causes. - Work closely with operational teams to resolve costing and inventory discrepancies. - Identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and margin enhancement. - Provide management with meaningful analysis to support operational decision-making. Financial Reporting - Prepare accurate and timely management accounts and month-end reports. - Complete relevant General Ledger reconciliations. - Ensure plant financial information is accurate and submitted within required deadlines. - Provide financial analysis and commentary on plant performance. - Support month-end and year-end financial processes. Budgeting & Forecasting - Assist with the preparation and management of monthly budgets and forecasts. - Monitor actual expenditure against budget. - Analyze financial performance and investigate budget variances. - Support management with financial information required for future planning. - Assist in identifying areas where costs can be better controlled. Financial Controls & Process Improvement - Implement and maintain effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and internal financial controls. - Ensure strong controls between physical inventory movements and accounting system transactions. - Identify weaknesses within existing processes and recommend improvements. - Work closely with Finance, Production, Warehouse and Operations teams to improve financial and operational processes. Non-Negotiable Requirements - Minimum 2+ years' relevant Cost Accounting experience. - Manufacturing environment experience is essential. - Strong practical experience with costing and Bills of Materials (BOMs). - Experience with inventory management. - Experience conducting WIP reconciliations and variance analysis. - Experience with financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. - Strong attention to detail and a proven track record of accuracy. Candidates with Cost Accounting experience specifically within food manufacturing or food production environments will be highly advantageous.