Cost Accountant

ESG Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Cost Accountant in Johannesburg. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years' experience in the manufacturing industry and be proficient in MS Office, especially Excel. Responsibilities include monitoring costs across departments, preparing budgets, and assisting with IT and accounting systems. This role requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail, as well as the ability to contribute to a culture of learning and improvement.

Qualifications

• 5 years working experience in related field, preferably in the manufacturing industry.
• Proficient in MS Office with advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of costing systems and ability to analyze costs.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyse costs within various departments.
• Job costing and analysis of budgeted vs actual costs.
• Calculate and maintain fixed and variable overhead recovery rates quarterly.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and budgets when required.
• Assist with the implementation and maintenance of IT systems.

Skills

Self-motivated

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

CIMA or BCom Accounting

Tools

MS Office

eTrack

Pastel Evolution

Job description

Minimum qualifications

• CIMA, but BCom Accounting or related costing / financial qualification will be considered with relevant experience
• 5 years working experience in related field, preferably in the manufacturing industry
• Proficient in MS Office. Advance knowledge of Excel.
• Knowledge of eTrack and Pastel Evolution is advantageous.
• Soft skills
• Must be self-motivated, energetic and be able to work as part of a team. This also includes a willingness to learn and good communication skills. By nature, a cost accountant should be highly analytical with strong attention to detail. Through experience they should become a critical thinker, leader and mentor to others within the organisation. Must also be able to show initiative and not be afraid to express ideas which may result in achievement of organisation goals. An ability to contribute to a culture of learning, problem solving and continuous improvement within the company.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyse costs within various departments including
• Job costing and analysis of budgeted vs actual costs.
• Analysing various jobs and cost centres to understand their impact on company profit
• Implementation of costing systems to assist the company in understanding job costs and profitability.
• Calculate, maintain and update fixed and variable overhead recovery rates quarterly
• Analysis of costs that are relevant to decision making and risk mitigation by calculating minimum selling prices using the agreed mark up, based on best costing principals
• Once MRP is fully implemented to update database with costing tables to enable the estimation of costs for quoting purposes and to be within stipulated percentage of actual costs.
• Monitor company debit orders on a monthly basis and highlight any variances
• Monitor fleet cards on a monthly basis
• Monitor diesel consumption purchased through independent providers for factory purposes
• Monitor telephone accounts on a monthly basis
• Any other costing requirements
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and budgets when required. Also assist in developing departmental budgets and KPIs.
• Submission and management of company insurance claims
• Assist with the implementation and maintenance of company information technology (MRP) and accounting systems, including inventory management.
• Reconciliation and review of accounts payable before payment
• Completion of monthly wage journals
• Maintenance of company fixed asset registers and related journals
• Assistance with preparation of monthly management accounts, annual audit file and financial analysis thereof.
• Submission of CIPC returns and maintenance for all group companies
• Assist with IT maintenance within the company
• Any other finance related functions which are reasonably related to the job description.