Cost Accountant - Epping

SIGNAL HILL PRODUCTS; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

SIGNAL HILL PRODUCTS is seeking a Plant Controller to lead accounting activities within the Finance department at our Cape Town site. You will oversee monthly and weekly reporting, budget management, and reconciliations, ensuring IFRS compliance and strong internal controls.

The role requires 2–4 years in a similar manufacturing-focused position, with CA/CIMA qualifications preferred. Proficiency in Excel and Syspro ERP is essential, with leadership responsibilities across the ME-driven

Qualifications

• Grade 12 is the minimum requirement.
• Bachelor’s degree/Diploma in Accounting or Finance is required.
• CA or CIMA qualification completed or in progress.
• 2–4 years of experience in a similar role, preferably in manufacturing.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct accounting activities within the Finance department, personally or through subordinates.
• Compile and report monthly and weekly accounts.
• Manage budgets and quarterly reforecasts including balance sheet variance reporting.
• Ensure IFRS-compliant accounting and accurate financial statements.
• Oversee costings, variances, and cost trends for production orders and stock counts.
• Support training and development of staff within Finance and ME initiatives.

Skills

Analytical

Attention to detail

Independent work

Integrity

Communication

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree/Diploma in Accounting or Finance

CA or CIMA qualification (completed or in progress)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Syspro ERP

Job description

Overall Responsibility

Plans and directs accounting activities within the Finance department by performing the following duties, personally or through subordinate supervisors.

Focus Area 1: Maintain safe healthy and risk-free working environment

• Comply with Safety, health & environmental legislation & procedures
• Maintain safe work environment
• Comply with SHP safe work practices as per SHE handbook in Manufacturing excellence strategy
• Report all safety observations

Focus Area 2: Manufacturing Excellence

• Translate and implement Manufacturing excellence strategy
• Fully understand the Manufacturing excellence strategy
• Coach staff and call upon Pillar champions and experts to drive each Pillar of ME

Focus Area 3: Financial Reporting

• Compilation and reporting of informative monthly and weekly accounts.
• Verify and correct if needed site KPIs weekly for report distribution.
• Management and preparation of annual budget and quarterly reforecasting including balance sheet as well as monthly reporting on budget variances.
• Implement, document, and manage financial processes to ensure complete and accurate capturing of transactions, as well as effective system controls and reconciliations.
• This includes handling all reconciliations, keeping the balance sheet accurate, and ensuring clear role separation and secure system access to reduce financial risks.
• Calculate, provide necessary proofs, and post accruals. Conduct full reconciliations of accrual accounts relating to site.

Focus Area 4: Financial Accuracy

• Ensure accuracy of accounts adhering to statutory requirements of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards).
• Manage day to day transacting and postings to/in accounts relating to site.
• Manage and support analysts to ensure timely closure of production orders and stock counts.
• Manage and maintain costings of all products, including cost/volume/usages variances.
• Monitor and track accurate expenditure to budgets for various departments within the plant. Track PO process from start to finish, including analysing and approving requisitions to ensure accuracy and budget adherence.
• Conduct analysis of variances and cost trends within the accounting records to ensure completeness, accuracy and validity of the financial statements as well as to provide critical and useful data into the business for decision making.

Focus Area 5: Inventory Management

• Oversee accounts
• Capture / closing counts
• Monitor Variance
• Establish root cause
• Provide feedback / solutions on variance
• Manage and maintenance stock: Health and ERP System

Focus Area 6: Leadership, People Management

• Support and entrench the company culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, key employee retention and development, and to ensure high performance
• Inspire and motivate the broader SHP team (not just your direct reports) to deliver on goals and maximize individual and the overall company performance
• Perform routine administration of all employees
• Support TNA process and Training plan implementation
• Ensure open communication and performance management

Focus Area 7: Other Duties

• Support and stand in for Plant Controller when/if needed. Development and review of expense cost allocation strategy, including activity-based costing, to drive optimum decision making in the business. Drive correction of system issues/bug fixes as well as development of new finance related requirements relating to Syspro ERP System with the IT department. Manage team member performance, create and implement staff and resource plans, ensure team members have required skills by assessing gaps and development areas and creating development plans.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12
• Bachelor’s degree/Diploma in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Completed or partially completed (with a view to complete soon) CA or CIMA qualification
• 2–4 years of experience in similar role, preferably in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting software

Skills And Competencies

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• High level of integrity and ethical behaviour.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

NB: Specific duties/responsibilities will vary from time to time: the above list is intended to indicate the general nature of the post and is not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to be flexible in supporting the business by undertaking any other responsibilities which are aligned with this job level.

Job reference code: J523