Commercial Accountant - Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Flexible hours

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Commercial Accountant to drive profitability for a fast-moving consumer goods client. The role is fully remote across South Africa and involves partnering with sales, marketing and operations to deliver financial insights and robust budgeting.

You will develop financial models, forecast performance, analyze variances, and prepare management reports on KPIs. A Bachelor's in Accounting or Finance is required, with a professional qualification advantageous and 4–6 years

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Professional qualification (CIMA, ACCA, CA(SA)) advantageous.
• 4–6 years’ experience in commercial finance or management accounting, FMCG/retail preferred.
• Experience in financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Strong understanding of FMCG business drivers and performance metrics.
• Advanced Excel proficiency.
• ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) and BI tools experience a plus.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with commercial teams to provide financial analysis and support for sales, marketing, and product development initiatives.
• Develop and maintain financial models for forecasting, budgeting, and profitability analysis.
• Analyze sales performance, identify trends, and provide actionable insights to improve revenue and margins.
• Prepare management reports on key commercial KPIs, variance analysis, and financial performance.
• Support the pricing strategy and promotional planning processes with robust financial analysis.
• Assist in the development of the annual budget and rolling forecasts for commercial functions.
• Evaluate the financial viability of new product launches and market expansion opportunities.
• Contribute to process improvements within the finance function to enhance efficiency and reporting accuracy.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.

Skills

Financial modeling

Forecasting

Budgeting

Variance analysis

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CIMA/ACCA/CA(SA) qualification advantageous

Tools

SAP

Oracle

BI tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing player in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking a highly skilled and commercially astute Commercial Accountant to join their operations. This role is pivotal in providing financial insights that drive business growth and profitability within this fast-paced industry. The successful candidate will work closely with the sales, marketing, and operations teams, offering financial support for strategic decision-making, performance analysis, and budget management. We are looking for an individual with strong analytical capabilities, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of commercial business drivers. This position is structured as a fully remote role, allowing talented individuals from across South Africa to contribute to the company's exciting trajectory.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with commercial teams to provide financial analysis and support for sales, marketing, and product development initiatives.
• Develop and maintain detailed financial models for forecasting, budgeting, and profitability analysis.
• Analyze sales performance, identify trends, and provide actionable insights to improve revenue and margins.
• Prepare management reports on key commercial KPIs, variance analysis, and financial performance.
• Support the pricing strategy and promotional planning processes with robust financial analysis.
• Assist in the development of the annual budget and rolling forecasts for commercial functions.
• Evaluate the financial viability of new product launches and market expansion opportunities.
• Contribute to process improvements within the finance function to enhance efficiency and reporting accuracy.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required.
• A professional qualification (e.g., CIMA, ACCA, CA(SA)) is highly advantageous.
• A minimum of 4-6 years of experience in a commercial finance or management accounting role, preferably within the FMCG or retail sectors.
• Proven experience in financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Strong understanding of commercial business drivers and performance metrics in the FMCG industry.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is essential.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and BI tools is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively in a fully remote environment.
• Proactive and results-oriented approach to work.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including performance bonuses and opportunities for professional growth. This is a fully remote position, providing significant flexibility in work location. The company fosters an innovative and collaborative culture, committed to developing its team members and driving business success, benefiting operations connected to the Soweto region.