Cost Accountant

Staff Solutions; Oos-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Staff Solutions in South Africa is seeking a qualified cost accountant to support costing, budgeting and ERP data integrity across manufacturing sites.

The role focuses on standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation, with responsibility for reporting and process improvement. Strong Excel and SAP experience are preferred, with collaboration across production and engineering teams.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years' experience in a manufacturing or factory finance environment.
• Cost accounting, inventory valuation, and variance analysis.
• ERP systems experience in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Maintain standard costing information for raw materials, labour, and overheads.
• Prepare costing schedules and reports for management review.
• Assist with inventory valuation and quarterly cost roll-ups.
• Support stock counts and reconciliations across sites.
• Validate BOMs and routings in the ERP system.
• Provide costing data to Production and Engineering for decision-making.
• Prepare and present costing and financial reports for operational teams.

Education

BCom Accounting (NQF6)

CIMA studies

Tools

SAP FI/MM

ERP systems

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Product Costing & Inventory Control

• Maintain standard costing information for raw materials, labour, and manufacturing overheads.
• Prepare costing schedules and reports for management review.
• Assist with inventory valuation and quarterly cost roll-ups.
• Support annual and interim stock counts, reconciliations, and inventory reporting.
• Verify Bills of Materials (BOMs) and routing accuracy within the ERP system.
• Prepare import cost files and submit summaries for SAP updates.
• Review monthly stock count completeness across all company sites.
• Coordinate and support factory stock counts with the Planning team.
• Investigate stock variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare inventory and stock count reports for management.

Cost Control & Variance Analysis

• Prepare material, labour, and overhead variance reports.
• Investigate routine cost variances and elevate significant issues where necessary.
• Analyse production data to identify cost trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor scrap, rework, and yield losses, reporting on trends and performance.
• Compile daily scrap reports and participate in scrap review meetings.
• Prepare monthly lead balancing reports, including scrap reconciliation.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and communicate recommendations to management.
• Provide accurate costing information to Production and Engineering teams to support operational decision-making.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Assist in preparing manufacturing budgets and rolling forecasts.
• Analyse budget versus actual results and investigate significant deviations.
• Update cost assumptions based on operational changes.
• Support scenario planning and sensitivity analysis.

ERP & Data Integrity

• Maintain costing master data, Bills of Materials, routings, and overhead rates within SAP.
• Validate production and inventory transactions to ensure data accuracy.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve costing and master data discrepancies.
• Maintain Material Master information relating to transaction processing.
• Support ERP enhancements, system upgrades, and user acceptance testing.
• Document costing processes and procedures.
• Provide first‑line support to users on SAP costing and transaction queries.
• Ensure costing documentation is maintained and audit‑ready.

Operational Finance Support

• Provide financial and costing information to support operational decision-making.
• Assist with cost impact analyses for process improvements and operational changes.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean and Six Sigma projects.
• Prepare and present costing and operational reports for management.
• Support finance and factory projects as required.
• Monitor scanning processes, liaise with factory system users, and report issues requiring corrective action.
• Build effective relationships with internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Attend operational meetings and provide financial support where required.
• Assist with APDP audit requirements and related finance queries.
• Perform ad hoc costing and finance duties as requested by management.

Key Performance Areas

• Product costing and inventory accuracy
• Cost control and variance analysis
• Budgeting and forecasting support
• ERP data integrity and master data maintenance
• Cross‑functional finance and operational support

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• BCom in Accounting or Cost & Management Accounting (NQF 6) is essential.
• Studying towards CIMA will be advantageous.

Experience

• 3–7 years' experience in a manufacturing or factory finance environment.
• Proven experience in:
  • Cost accounting
  • Inventory valuation
  • Variance analysis
  • ERP systems within a manufacturing environment

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of cost accounting principles.
• Sound understanding of IFRS, particularly IAS 2 (Inventories).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• SAP FI and MM experience (or similar ERP systems).
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes.

Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving ability.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication and reporting skills.
• The ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
• Sound judgement and a high level of integrity.
• The ability to perform well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong relationship‑building skills.
• A customer‑focused approach.