Cost Accountant

Pedros Chicken; Durban; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 580,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedros Chicken is seeking a Cost Accountant to manage end-to-end plant finance operations, including standard costing, BOMs, inventory variances, and month-end reporting.

You will partner with operations to improve processes, implement controls, and support decision making, budgeting, and forecasting to safeguard assets and drive margin improvement.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in cost accounting or a similar role.
• Experience in FMCG, QSR/fast food or retail sectors preferred.
• Proficient in cost accounting and financial management.
• Experience with Sage 200 Evolution or similar ERP.
• Strong communication across all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Maintain costing and BOMs in Sage; move materials to WIP before production.
• Lead weekly and month-end WIP reconciliations and variance analysis.
• Improve SOPs and internal controls; align warehouse movements with Sage data.
• Collaborate with operations to resolve cost issues and support decisions.
• Prepare management accounts, month-end reports, and GL reconciliations.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts; monitor spend and future planning.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Communication

Education

CIMA / accounting qualification

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

Sage 200 Evolution

ERP systems

Job description

The Cost Accountant is responsible for managing end-to-end plant finance operations by overseeing standard costing, BOMs, inventory variances, month end financial reporting, and the broader accounting function.

Responsibilities :

1. Maintain costing and Bills of Materials in SAGE, ensuring raw materials are properly moved into Work in Progress in the system before production begins.
2. Lead weekly and month end WIP recons, monitor production, analyse material and stock variances, and identify opportunities for cost reduction and margin improvement.
3. Implement and improve SOPs and internal controls, bridging the gap between physical warehouse movements and Sage data to strengthen financial governance and protect assets.
4. Work closely with operations and management teams to improve processes, resolve cost related issues, and support decision making.
5. Prepare and submit management accounts, month end reports, and GL recons to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
6. Prepare and manage monthly budgets and forecasts to monitor spend, analyse performance, and support future financial planning.

Requirements :

• Tertiary Financial Management / Accounting qualification – CIMA preferred.
• 3-5 years experience in a similar role preferably in a FMCG, QSR/ Fast food or retail sector.
• Sound understanding of the finance function and cost accounting.
• Experience with Sage 200 Evolution or similar system.
• Ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organisation.