Cost Accountant - Contract

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
A leading organization in the mineralogy and chemical industries is seeking a seasoned Cost Accountant to spearhead a comprehensive review of product costing methodologies amidst business growth challenges. This role demands a strategic mind capable of enhancing financial accuracy and operational efficiency through meticulous analysis and process improvement. Duties: Review existing product cost models across all active product lines Assess cost allocation methodology for raw material, processing, and overhead components Review landed cost build-ups for export shipments and margin reporting by product grade and destination market Assess yield assumptions used in cost modelling versus actual outputs Identify gaps between standard costs held in the ERP and actual costs incurred Benchmark costing approaches against industry norms for specialty minerals and commodity trading companies Produce a written findings report on weaknesses, risks, and improvement opportunities in the current costing framework Recommend revised costing methodology suitable for operational complexity, including multi-grade yield splits Propose a standard cost structure for each product line with cost drivers and variance analysis framework Advise on appropriate cost centre and profit centre structure within the ERP Review current ERP configuration related to inventory costing, purchase order processing, and cost of sales recognition Identify ERP setup changes required to support the recommended costing methodology Advise on bill of materials and routing configurations for processing operations Recommend ERP reporting outputs to support product costing and margin management Train finance staff on revised costing methodology and maintenance requirements Produce documented costing procedures and manuals for internal use Requirements: 7 to 10 years of experience in cost management or related roles Strong proficiency in SAP, SYSPRO, Sage X3 Finance, Odoo, and other ERP systems Demonstrated ability to develop and improve costing frameworks in complex operational settings Experience in benchmarking costing approaches within the mineralogy, chemical, or petrochemical sectors Excellent analytical, report writing, and communication skills Ability to lead and delegate effectively within a team Nice to Have: Advanced understanding of Bill of Materials (BOM) and routing configurations Prior experience with ERP system enhancements and change management What We'll Give You: An influential role in shaping the costing framework of a growing enterprise Opportunities to collaborate with industry-leading professionals A dynamic work environment based in KwaZulu-Natal with on-site engagement Ready to impact operational excellence through cost management? Apply now and become a key contributor to our client’s strategic growth.