Cost Accountant

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 860,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension fund benefits

Professional development

Collaborative team environment

Opportunity to impact profitability

Employee wellness program

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Cost Accountant for its manufacturing client in Cape Town. The role focuses on developing robust costing systems, variance analysis, and profitability insights to drive cost efficiency in manufacturing operations.

The candidate will collaborate with production and engineering teams, maintain BOM/routing accuracy in ERP, support budgeting, and ensure compliance with costing standards. On-site at the main facility in Cape Town.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 4+ years' experience in cost accounting in manufacturing.
• CIMA certification is a strong advantage.
• Strong costing principles and inventory valuation (FIFO/LIFO).
• ERP proficiency and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain cost accounting systems.
• Analyze manufacturing costs: materials, labor, overhead.
• Perform variance analysis and provide explanations.
• Prepare cost reports: product costing, inventory valuation, profitability.
• Collaborate with production/engineering to identify cost savings.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting for manufacturing.
• Maintain BOM and routing accuracy in ERP.
• Evaluate financial impact of new products and process changes.
• Assist audits related to cost accounting.
• Ensure compliance with costing standards.

Skills

Cost accounting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Advanced Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent manufacturing company headquartered in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape , is actively seeking an experienced Cost Accountant to join their esteemed finance department. This role is crucial for optimizing production costs, enhancing profitability, and providing critical financial insights to manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will be instrumental in developing and implementing robust costing systems, performing variance analysis, and contributing to strategic cost management initiatives. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible impact within a well-established entity in the competitive Cape Town market, offering stability and professional growth within a dedicated finance team. The position is based at our client's main facility, requiring full-time presence on-site.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain cost accounting systems and methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, including direct materials, direct labor, and overhead.
• Conduct variance analysis (budget vs. actual) and provide detailed explanations for deviations.
• Prepare accurate cost reports, including product costing, inventory valuation, and profitability analysis.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Assist in the annual budgeting and forecasting process for manufacturing operations.
• Maintain the bill of materials (BOM) and routing accuracy in the ERP system.
• Evaluate the financial impact of new product introductions and process changes.
• Support internal and external audits related to cost accounting.
• Ensure compliance with relevant costing standards and regulations.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Professional certification such as CIMA or equivalent is a significant advantage.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in cost accounting, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of costing principles, inventory valuation methods (FIFO, LIFO), and overhead allocation.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to work efficiently in a demanding manufacturing setting in Cape Town .
• Proven track record of identifying and implementing cost reduction initiatives.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary of R per annum .
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage and pension fund benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and further qualifications.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Direct impact on operational efficiency and company profitability.
• Employee wellness programs and benefits.
• Be part of a leading manufacturing entity in Cape Town .