Management Accountant

SUMMARY:
Are you’re ready to move from reporting the numbers to influencing them? Are you a results-driven Management Accountant ready to take the next step into a strategic 2IC position? This is your opportunity to join a fast-moving, high-performance environment where finance truly partners with operations. If you thrive on numbers, process excellence, and being the Financial Manager’s right hand, then this role is for you!

POSITION INFO:
Our client is a leading player within the logistics and supply chain sector, servicing blue-chip FMCG and manufacturing clients across Southern Africa. The business runs on precision, speed, and insight with finance playing a critical role in driving performance, efficiency, and profitability.

As the Management Accountant, you’ll act as the bridge between the Financial Manager and the accounting team owning financial reporting, cost analysis, and performance tracking across fleet, routes, and contracts. You’ll work closely with operations to ensure that the business runs profitably and sustainably, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on financial control.

This is a dynamic, high-energy environment that rewards initiative and commercial acumen. You’ll be involved in every aspect of financial performance from budgeting and forecasting to margin analysis, cost control, and team leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and analyse monthly management accounts and financial performance reports for senior management.
• Lead the budgeting and forecasting cycle, ensuring alignment with operational and commercial plans.
• Conduct detailed cost and margin analysis on key logistics cost drivers, including fuel, fleet maintenance, labour, and subcontractor expenses.
• Monitor and report on fleet utilisation, route profitability, and vehicle operating costs, identifying areas for efficiency improvement.
• Analyse contract-level profitability to ensure that customer accounts remain commercially viable.
• Support tender pricing and contract renewals through accurate cost-to-serve modelling and scenario analysis.
• Partner with operations to track delivery efficiency, route optimisation, and downtime costs, translating data into actionable insights.
• Oversee daily financial controls across creditors, debtors, and cashbook functions, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Review and authorise journals, reconciliations, and monthly close entries prepared by the accounting team.
• Maintain strong internal controls over fuel management systems, vehicle leasing, and maintenance expenditure.
• Prepare and monitor cash flow forecasts, working capital performance, and liquidity management.
• Support the Financial Manager during audits, statutory submissions, and financial planning cycles.
• Champion process improvement and reporting automation within the finance department.
• Mentor and guide accounting staff, ensuring high performance and timely deliverables.
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and insight to support operational and strategic decision-making.

• BCom Accounting or Finance Degree (CIMA or solid and recent progress toward CIMA essential)
• 5–8 years’ experience within management accounting or financial analysis in a logistics, transport, or supply chain environment
• Solid understanding of fleet operations, route costing, and logistics cost structures
• Proven ability to prepare and interpret budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting output
• Strong Excel and ERP system skills (Sage, Pastel, AS400, or similar)
• Analytical, hands-on, and commercially minded, with a sharp eye for operational detail
• Confident communicator, with the ability to partner with both finance and operational teams
• Organised, deadline-driven, and proactive in driving performance improvement

• Financial Manager
• Group Finance Manager
• Financial Director
• Group Accountant
• Financial Accountant
• Management Accountant
• Cost Accountant
• Financial Controller