Cost Accountant Manager

FirstRand Bank India; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstRand Group is seeking a Cost Accountant Manager to drive profitability and strategic decision-making at the FNB Point of Presence Finance division. You will build cost models, use advanced analytics, and partner with Finance and Analytics teams to translate data into actionable business insights.

The role combines finance, data science, and business strategy, leveraging SQL, Power BI/Tableau, and advanced modelling to influence budgeting, forecasting, and performance improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Cost & Management Accounting, Business Analytics, Data Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
• 4–5 years in Cost Accounting, Financial Analytics, Financial Data Intelligence, or similar analytics roles.
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnering experience with cross-team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and enhance cost allocation, profitability, forecasting, and predictive models.
• Apply analytics techniques to identify trends, risks, and performance drivers across Branch Banking.
• Use SQL and data interrogation to analyze large datasets.
• Develop insights to support cost optimisation and profitability improvement initiatives.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning.
• Translate financial/operational data into actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
• Partner with Finance, Analytics, Data, and Business teams to solve commercial challenges.

Skills

Financial analytics

Data intelligence

Data storytelling

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree (Accounting/Finance/Analytics)

Tools

SQL

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

Job description

Job Description

To ensure quality of the product/ service as generated by the business and productivity targets are met by leveraging resources, support functions and relationships across the business

Hello, future, Cost Accountant Manager

FNB Point of Presence (PoP) Finance is seeking a Cost Accountant Manager with Financial Analytics, Financial Data Intelligence, Business Intelligence, or Data Science skills to help drive profitability and strategic decision-making within Branch Banking. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of Finance, Data Analytics, and Business Strategy, leveraging large datasets, SQL, and advanced modelling techniques to deliver meaningful business insights.

Far more than a traditional Cost Accountant role, you’ll build cost and profitability models, uncover opportunities for improved performance, and influence key business decisions. If you’re passionate about transforming data into actionable insights and creating measurable business impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you someone who can

• Build, maintain, and enhance cost allocation, profitability, forecasting, and predictive models that support strategic business decisions.
• Apply analytical and data science techniques to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and performance drivers across the Branch Banking environment.
• Use SQL and data interrogation techniques to analyse large and complex datasets.
• Develop insights that support cost optimisation, resource allocation, and profitability improvement initiatives.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning activities.
• Translate complex financial and operational information into clear, actionable recommendations for business stakeholders.
• Partner with Finance, Analytics, Data, and Business teams to solve commercial challenges and improve decision-making.
• Drive automation, continuous improvement, and model governance practices.
• Leverage data-driven insights to influence business strategy and performance outcomes.

You will be an ideal candidate if you have:

• A relevant bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Cost & Management Accounting, Business Analytics, Data Science, Mathematics, or a related qualification.
• 4 - 5 years of relevant experience in Cost Accounting, Financial Analytics, Financial Data Intelligence, or a similar finance-focused analytical role.
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnering experience, with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple business areas.
• Minimum 1 - 2 years’ experience leading projects, workstreams, or teams in a Finance, Analytics, Cost Accounting, or Data Intelligence environment will be advantageous.
• Proven ability to translate complex financial and analytical insights into practical business decisions and outcomes is preferred.
• Experience analysing large and complex datasets to support business performance, cost management, profitability analysis, and strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to derive insights from financial and operational data and translate findings into meaningful business recommendations.
• Strong SQL capability and experience using data interrogation techniques to extract, analyse, and interpret data.
• Experience with data visualisation and reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
• Strong analytical, modelling, problem-solving, and financial reasoning skills.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability.
• Ability to interpret complex financial and operational data and convert it into actionable business insights.
• Exposure to forecasting, predictive analytics, statistical modelling, machine learning, or business intelligence solutions will be advantageous.
• A curious mindset with a passion for solving business problems through data-driven decision-making.

What’s in it for you:

You’ll be part of a finance function that is evolving and integrating with analytics, automation, and strategic business partnering and provides the opportunity to

• Develop highly sought-after Finance and Data Analytics skills.
• Gain exposure to senior business stakeholders and strategic decision-making.
• Work on impactful projects that directly influence business performance.
• Strengthen your modelling, analytics, commercial, and financial capabilities.
• Build a career at the intersection of Finance, Data, and Business Strategy.

#Post

#FNB

#LI-AR2

Important Closing Date Note

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.

14/10/26

All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group’s Employment Equity plan. The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.