Cost Accountant

Omnia Group; Sasolburg; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Omnia Group in Sasolburg is seeking a Cost Accountant responsible for stock control, standard costing and variance analysis within a manufacturing context. This permanent, on-site role reports to the Inventory and Costing Manager and sits in the Omnia Agriculture Nutriology unit.

You will maintain BOMs, update cost prices, prepare budget templates and support month-end and year-end close, audits and management reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 to 4 years' experience in a similar costing or accounting role.
• Experience in manufacturing industry.
• Experience with inventory control, standard costing and variance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Maintain inventory control processes across manufacturing operations.
• Provide cost of sales information based on approved monthly standard costs.
• Analyse variances and investigate root causes.
• Update Bills of Materials (BOMs) to ensure costing accuracy.
• Execute month-end close and close costing processes.
• Support budgeting and reporting requirements.
• Participate in stock counts and audit readiness.

Skills

2-4 years costing experience

Manufacturing costing experience

Advanced Excel

IFRS knowledge

Education

BCom Accounting

Postgraduate qualification in Management Accounting

CIMA qualification or studies towards CIMA

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

JOB TITLE: COST ACCOUNTANT

Location: Sasolburg, South Africa

Business Unit: Omnia Agriculture (Nutriology®) | SSB Finance

Reports To: Inventory and Costing Manager

Contract Type: Permanent

Submission Closing Date: 30 October 2026

Join Omnia Nutriology® and help shape the future of sustainable agriculture.

Omnia Nutriology

Omnia Nutriology partners with farmers to unlock the full potential of their land, crops and resources through our proprietary Nutriology® approach. By combining science-based crop nutrition, agronomic expertise, biological solutions and innovative technologies, we help growers increase productivity, improve soil health and build more resilient farming systems. Together with our customers, we are advancing sustainable agriculture, strengthening food security and creating lasting value for future generations.

As part of Omnia Holdings Limited (JSE: OMN), you'll join a global, diversified business operating across the agriculture, mining and chemicals sectors. With operations in 23 countries, customers in more than 40 countries, over 70 distribution centres, and approximately 3,800 employees worldwide, Omnia develops innovative products, technologies and services that support food security, responsible mining and sustainable industrial development. Through science, innovation and collaboration, we help customers use resources more efficiently, solve complex operational challenges and create lasting value for a changing world.

At Omnia, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside industry experts, contribute to meaningful challenges, and grow your career in a purpose-led organisation committed to innovation, learning and sustainable impact.

Innovating to enhance life, together creating a greener future.

ROLE IMPACT

The Cost Accountant is responsible for ensuring effective stock control, maintaining of pricingprocess and variance analysis, by applying the techniques of standard costing specific to therequirements of a manufacturing concern, thereby ensuring accuracy of information providedfor informed decision making by stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor and maintain effective inventory control processes to ensure accuracy, reliability and compliance across manufacturing operations.
• Provide key stakeholders with accurate product cost of sales information based on approved monthly standard costs to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Analyse financial and operational information to identify abnormal cost variances and investigate root causes.
• Maintain and update Bills of Materials (BOMs) to ensure product costing accuracy within financial and operational systems.
• Manage monthly updates of cost prices and transport rates to ensure current and accurate costing information.
• Provide inventory and pricing support to decentralised business units, ensuring effective resolution of queries and operational challenges.
• Support the Management Accountant by assisting with finance-related business unit queries and management reporting requirements.
• Execute month-end close activities, ensuring all costing, inventory and reconciliation processes are completed accurately and within required deadlines.
• Support year-end financial close activities and audit requirements through the timely completion of reporting and reconciliations.
• Perform detailed reconciliations to validate transactions, identify discrepancies and strengthen financial control processes.
• Participate in monthly and bi-monthly stock counts, ensuring inventory accuracy and compliance with stock management procedures.
• Attend bi-annual maintenance spares counts and verify inventory records through the review and sign-off of stock documentation.
• Investigate incorrect capturing of raw material codes and collaborate with relevant plant managers to implement corrective actions.
• Monitor Goods-In-Transit balances and proactively resolve variances to maintain inventory integrity.
• Prepare stock reports, providing commentary and insights on abnormal costs, variances and inventory trends.
• Identify and investigate usage variances and losses, validating findings with relevant operational and plant management teams.
• Ensure manufacturing work orders are accurately closed and maintain reporting of outstanding work orders at month-end.
• Maintain the accuracy of standard costs and manufacturing recovery rates to support reliable financial reporting.
• Analyse Purchase Price Variances (PPVs), assess reasonability and provide recommendations for corrective action where required.
• Support budgeting activities by preparing manufacturing expense budgets and accurately calculating labour and overhead recovery rates.
• Prepare manufacturing expenses and manufacturing recoveries templates for budget uploads and reporting processes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

Essential

• BCom Accounting.

Advantageous

• Postgraduate qualification in Management Accounting.
• CIMA qualification or studies towards CIMA.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 to 4 years' experience in a similar costing or accounting role.
• Previous manufacturing industry experience.
• Experience working with inventory control, standard costing and variance analysis processes.

Advantageous

• Experience working within a large finance team.
• Exposure to manufacturing costing environments and complex inventory structures.

Key Competencies

• Strong knowledge of financial principles, accounting processes and reporting requirements, including IFRS, tax regulations and applicable legislation.
• Good understanding of manufacturing business processes and cost accounting methodologies.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to identify trends, variances and operational improvement opportunities.
• Excellent reconciliation and financial control skills.
• Effective problem-solving ability with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound interpersonal and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate effectively across multiple functions.
• High levels of integrity, reliability and accountability.
• Self-motivated, organised and able to manage competing priorities.
• Quick learner with a proactive and responsive approach.
• Strong achievement orientation, resilience and determination to deliver results.
• Ability to manage conflict constructively and maintain positive working relationships.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

A diverse team drives stronger outcomes. At Omnia, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued, respected and empowered to contribute. We believe that diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds strengthen our ability to innovate, solve complex challenges and create sustainable value. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates who share our commitment to excellence, collaboration and making a positive impact.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

Thank you for considering a career with Omnia. We appreciate the time and effort invested in your application. Our Talent Acquisition team carefully reviews every application received. While only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, we encourage you to keep exploring future opportunities within the Omnia Group as we continue to grow our teams across agriculture, mining and chemicals. We wish you every success in your career journey and thank you for your interest in being part of our purpose: Innovating to enhance life, together creating a greener future.