Accountant, Costing

alfanar Group; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in cost management in South Africa is seeking a dedicated professional to oversee cost expenditures and ensure profitability. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance and 2 to 5 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include cost analysis, budgeting, inventory management, and generating reports. Compliance with regulatory standards is essential, making this role critical in enhancing operational efficiency and financial performance.

Qualifications

• 2 to 5 years of experience in cost management or accounting.
• Ability to analyze cost variances and prepare detailed reports.
• Experience with budgeting and forecasting processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and update standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead.
• Collaborate with finance to prepare annual budgets and forecasts.
• Monitor inventory levels and analyze inventory turnover.
• Generate periodic cost reports and present cost trends.

Skills

Cost accounting best practices

Cost analysis

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Finance

Job description

Job Purpose

Tracking, analyzing, and managing cost expenditures and purchases. Ensure that the company maintains profitability by accurately assessing the costs involved in business. Provide detailed reports for cost control and efficiency improvements.

Key Accountability Areas

Cost Calculation & Analysis:

• Develop, monitor, and update standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead.
• Analyze cost variances by comparing actual costs to standard costs and investigating discrepancies.
• Prepare detailed cost analysis reports to help management understand the financial performance of products or services.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Collaborate with the finance and operations teams to prepare annual budgets and forecasts for costs.
• Provide periodic cost forecasts and conduct variance analysis to ensure the organization stays within budgetary constraints.

Inventory Management:

• Monitor inventory levels and costs to ensure that inventory is accurately valued.
• Analyze inventory turnover and assess the impact of inventory management practices on overall cost performance.

Reporting:

• Generate periodic cost reports , providing detailed insight into cost behavior, profit margins, and areas for improvement.
• Present cost trends, make recommendations on cost control measures, and assist in pricing decisions based on cost data.

Internal Controls:

• Ensure that all cost-related processes adhere to company policies and financial regulations.
• Conduct internal audits to verify the accuracy and integrity of cost records and reports.
• Collaborate with the audit team to ensure that cost records comply with external regulations and audit standards.

Compliance & Documentation:

• Ensure all costing records and reports are well-documented, easily accessible, and compliant with relevant accounting standards.
• Assist in the preparation of year-end financial statements by providing cost-related information.

Role Accountability

HR Proficiency:

• Ability to obtain updated soft and technical skills related to the job.

Delivery:

• Perform the planned activities to meet the operational and development targets as per delivery schedules.
• Utilize resources effectively to achieve objectives within efficient cost and time.
• Provide a periodic report formatted by detailing the deviation and execution of planned tasks.

Problem-Solving:

• Solve any related problems arise and escalate any complex operational issues.

Quality:

• Ensure quality requirements to develop effective quality control and processes including specifications for products or processes or related activities.

Business Process Improvements:

• Coordinate well-defined written systems, policies, procedures, and seek automations opportunities as much as possible.

Compliance:

• Comply to related policy and procedures and work instructions.

Health, Safety, and Environment:

• Ensure compliance of relevant safety, quality, and environmental management procedures and controls within defined area of work activity to guarantee safety, legislative compliance, and delivery of high-quality products/services.

Academic Qualification

Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Finance

Work Experience

2 to 5 Years

Technical / Functional Competencies

• Cost Accounting Best Practices
• Cost Accounting Systems
• Cost Analysis