Management & Cost Accountant

The Management and Cost Accountant will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the finance department and will assume overall responsibility of the financial management and reporting, statutory reporting and compliance, budgeting and analysis, stock costing and management, as well as the commission calculations. A background in management accounting with proven experience in complex stock costings and formulations, a solid understanding of IFRS, as well as Syspro experience is essential.

Experience within the Chemical or Pharmaceutical Industry is preferable.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Financial Management and Reporting
• Review of Monthly balance sheet reconciliations and Syspro sub books.
• Daily and weekly monitoring of cash flows. Review cash flow projections on a weekly basis.
• Weekly Petty cash sign off.
• Review Monthly Bank Reconciliations for all accounts.
• Manage creditor reconciliations and timelines thereof.
• Review, check and authorize creditors and EFT payments in line with SOP’s and mandates.
• Regular review of debtors and creditors age analysis and highlight potential risks to Management.
• Review asset registers.
• Maintain/implement Insurance policies and manage claim procedures.
• Maintain third-party agreements (e.g. Rental, ITC etc.) where applicable.
• Management of WIP and accruals.
• Review all intercompany reconciliations and balancing thereof.
• Generation of month end journals (Standard and ad hoc).
• Syspro Control / Maintenance (ensure all data captured into the system is valid, accurate and complete).
• Update and provide feedback by using an internal system as well as using this platform to set up tasks for direct reports (i.e. Finance Calendar, RRR, Deadlines).
• Prepare, interpret and submit monthly management accounts and annual reports in accordance with Group deadlines, using Syspro and Excel.
• Maintaining internal controls as per Group Policies and Procedures.
• Coordinate financial controls and assist staff to initiate and implement new systems in line with Group Practices.
• Attend to external financial audits and ensure that deadlines are met.
• Statutory reporting and compliance
• Oversee and ensure tax compliance and submissions in accordance with
• Statutory deadlines (Income Tax / Provisional Tax / VAT / PAYE (EMP201 and EMP501) / Dividend Withholding Tax / SARS IT14SD / Other).
• Responsible for attending to SARS audits and ensure that deadlines are met.
• Oversee and manage Workman’s Compensation annual submissions (ROE).
• Assist with predictions where required and counter sign SETA submissions as the Accounting Officer.
• Inventory Management and Reporting
• Responsible for inventory costing and updating of products on Syspro. Assume overall responsibility for the standard costing database.
• Analyze and review operational and BOM costs. Responsible for direct and indirect cost allocations on BOM’s and the maintenance of master data and BOMs.
• Create new stock codes and load new BOM’s on Syspro.
• Ensure that the weighted average costing system is accurate. Investigate and report back on all large variances.
• Perform regular integrity checks on the stock module in Syspro.
• Review monthly and yearly stock takes. Ensure stock levels are correct at all times.
• Stock variance analysis and report back to Management.
  • Inventory valuation – maintain, reconcile and analyze key General Ledger accounts and balances.
  • Month end close off of all inventory related sub-books on Syspro.
  • Monthly reconciliations and analysis of all stock related financial accounts.
  • Management of WIP and investigate any variances.
  • Labour efficiency tracking.
  • Evaluate cost of sales variance accounts.
  • Compile and review GP reports. Investigate any unusual fluctuations and report back to Management.
  • Oversight of GP Reporting Platform (Power BI).
  • Update and analyze contract pricing for various clients. Ensure that contract prices on Syspro are up to date at all times.
  • Assist with developing and maintaining key internal controls.
• Budgeting and analysis
  • Assist management with the annual budgeting process and forecasts.
  • Compare actual results against budgets and provide feedback to management.
  • Providing, analyzing and interpreting financial information at branch level.
  • Evaluate manufacturing costs and prepare regular reports comparing standard predicted costs to actual production costs.
  • Building cost models.
• Human Capital Management:
  • Calculate sales rep commissions on a monthly basis. Analyze Gross Profit
  • Reports and query any anomalies, to ensure commission calculations are accurate.
  • Review and sign off on Payroll for direct reporting staff.
  • Manage Payroll and HR administration for direct reporting staff within your sphere of
• Conduct performance appraisals and prepare / update job descriptions where required.
• Ensure effective recruitment practices are maintained in line with Group expectations.
• Maintain effective and consistent discipline within the division and ensure HR and SHE policies are adhered to.
• Maintain and enforce leadership within the division through coaching and mentoring.
• Improve general communication within the division by arranging effective and regular meetings.
• Coordinate and assist Divisional Departments with increases / bonuses based on annual group guidance/mandates memo.

Experience and Qualifications

• 5 years relevant experience as a Management and Cost Accountant in an FMCG environment is essential. (Experience within chemical industry will be an added advantage).
• Relevant degree in finance, accounting and administration. CIMA qualification advantageous.
• Current working knowledge of Syspro - essential.
• Experience dealing with formulations and complex stock costings - essential.
• In depth knowledge of IFRS for SME’s.
• Up to date knowledge and good understanding of Local and International Tax Legislation (Income Tax, VAT, etc).
• Proficiency in Power BI advantageous.
• Strong financial knowledge in the consolidation of results, financial and management accounting, audit, taxation and corporate financing.
• Ability to roll-up sleeves and work with team members in a ‘hands-on’ management capacity.
• Experience in implementing accounting processes and controls and coaching and mentoring of finance staff.
• A keen eye for detail and desire to probe further into data.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transport

Computer Literacy

• Syspro – essential.
• Advanced knowledge in MS Office Excel – essential.
• Intermediate knowledge in other MS Office packages (e.g. Word, Power Point etc.)
• Intermediate knowledge of virtual programs