Cost Accountant

RightHirePlus; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services provider in Johor Bahru, Malaysia is seeking a detail-oriented Cost Accountant to join their finance team. The role involves overseeing company expenditures, ensuring compliance and accuracy, and providing insightful financial reporting. Responsibilities include expense verification, budgeting, cost control, and financial reconciliation. The ideal candidate holds a relevant Bachelor's degree and possesses strong analytical skills, with proficiency in accounting software. The company welcomes fresh graduates as well as those with 3+ years of experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in cost accounting or general accounting.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and internal controls.
• Proficiency in advanced Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and analyze company expenditures for accuracy and compliance.
• Assist in developing annual and monthly expense budgets.
• Conduct in-depth cost structure and trend analysis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Progress towards CPA or CMA

Tools

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

MS Office Suite

Job description

About the Role:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Cost Accountant to join our finance team. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing and analyzing company expenditures, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across all expense-related processes. You will play a key role in budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting, providing actionable insights to support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

Expense Verification & Accounting:

Review and verify employee expense reports, supplier invoices, and supporting documents for compliance with company policies and relevant regulations.

• Ensure accurate cost classification (e.g., administrative, travel, sales, R&D).
• Prepare and post accounting entries related to expenses promptly and accurately.
• Manage the accrual and amortization of recurring expenses such as rent, utilities, and insurance.

Budgeting & Cost Control:

• Assist in the development and preparation of annual and monthly expense budgets.

• Monitor departmental expenditures against budgets, analyze variances, and provide detailed reports to management.
• Proactively identify trends of overspending and provide recommendations for cost containment.

Financial Analysis & Reconciliation:

• Perform regular reconciliations of accounts payable, bank statements, and cash accounts to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Conduct in-depth cost structure and trend analysis (e.g., travel expense ratios, fluctuations in administrative costs).
• Analyze cost drivers and propose effective cost-saving initiatives and process optimizations.

Compliance & Process Improvement:

• Prepare and organize all necessary documentation for annual audits and tax inspections related to expenses.
• Monitor supplier contract terms and schedule payments efficiently.
• Support the implementation and optimization of financial systems (e.g., ERP, Shared Service Center) and contribute to the continuous improvement of expense management workflows.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Proven experience 3 years in cost accounting, general accounting, or a similar financial role. Fresh graduates are welcome to apply.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, cost classification, and internal controls.
• Proficiency in accounting software and MS Office Suite (advanced Excel skills essential).
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) is a strong plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with different departments.
• Professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA) or progress towards one is preferred.