Cost Accountant - East London Automotive Sector

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Annual leave entitlement

Training and development

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in East London is seeking a Cost Accountant to support production finance, standard costing, and cost-reduction initiatives on-site. You will work with production, procurement, and finance to ensure accurate cost data and informed decisions on pricing and efficiency.

The role requires a solid foundation in manufacturing cost accounting, ERP systems, and advanced Excel, with a proactive, detail-oriented mindset to enhance profitability and resource utilization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Management Accounting.
• 3–4 years in a Cost Accounting role, preferably in manufacturing.
• Strong cost accounting knowledge and ERP familiarity (SAP/Oracle).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and attention to detail.
• Lean Manufacturing understanding is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain standard costing systems for manufactured products.
• Analyze variances between standard and actual costs and report deviations.
• Track and analyze overheads, labor and material costs.
• Assist in product costing for new and existing items.
• Support the budgeting process for the manufacturing department.
• Provide cost analyses to support pricing decisions and profitability.
• Monitor inventory valuation and movements for accuracy.
• Contribute to cost reduction and efficiency improvement initiatives.
• Prepare monthly cost reports and management presentations.
• Ensure timely and accurate recording of manufacturing transactions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Independence

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Management Accounting

CIMA / CMA desirable

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key supplier within the automotive manufacturing industry in **East London**, is seeking a skilled Cost Accountant to join their production finance team. This on-site role is critical for managing and analyzing production costs, contributing to pricing strategies, and identifying opportunities for cost reduction and operational efficiency. You will work closely with the production, procurement, and finance departments to ensure accurate cost data and support informed decision-making. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting principles, be highly analytical, and have a meticulous approach to financial reporting. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated Cost Accountant to contribute to a stable and growing company in the vibrant **East London** industrial area. You will be integral to maintaining the financial health and competitiveness of the manufacturing operations, ensuring optimal resource utilization and profitability. The role demands hands-on engagement with the production floor and financial systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain standard costing systems for manufactured products.
• Analyze variances between standard and actual costs, investigating and reporting on significant deviations.
• Track and analyze manufacturing overheads, labor costs, and material costs.
• Assist in the preparation of product costing for new and existing items.
• Support the annual budgeting process for the manufacturing department.
• Provide detailed cost analysis to support pricing decisions and profitability assessments.
• Monitor inventory valuation and movement, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing manufacturing costs and improving efficiency.
• Prepare monthly cost reports and management presentations.
• Ensure timely and accurate recording of all manufacturing-related financial transactions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Management Accounting.
• A relevant professional qualification (e.g., CIMA, CMA) is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 3-4 years of experience in a Cost Accounting role, preferably within the automotive or manufacturing sector.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting principles, methods, and systems.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced production environment.
• Must be able to work on-site in **East London**.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles is an advantage.
• A proactive and results-oriented mindset.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package based on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to work with a leading automotive supplier in **East London**.
• Medical aid contributions and a provident fund.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Professional development and training programs available.
• Exposure to diverse cost management challenges in a manufacturing setting.
• Supportive team environment.
• Potential for performance-related bonuses.