Cost and management accountant

Africa Health Research Institute; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A health research institution in South Africa is seeking a skilled Cost and Management Accountant to manage costing and financial analysis. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years of relevant experience in a similar role, including asset management and ERP systems knowledge. This position plays a critical role in supporting financial operations and improving the effectiveness of the organization's financial health.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience as a cost accountant or similar role.
• Experience in asset management.
• Experience in research or academic grant management is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine the economic costing model.
• Maintain the fixed asset register and prepare schedules.
• Support financial operations and reporting.

Skills

Financial analysis

Costing model development

Audit readiness

Asset management

Education

BCom Honours Degree or Equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Description: The Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) has an excellent opportunity within its Finance Department for a Cost and management accountant. The cost and management accountant will be responsible for moderately complex costing, financial analysis and asset-related activities. Supports financial operations and reporting, contributing to the financial effectiveness of AHRI

Overview of Duties

COSTING AND INTERNAL SERVICES CHARGES ANALYSIS

• Under the guidance of the CFO and line manager, develop or continuous refinement of the full economic costing model, perform detailed analysis of institutional overheads and internal services recovery mechanisms.
• Collaborate with research and business units to identify unit cost drivers, and ensure costing models reflect actual resource utilization, and review costing models annually, or when need arises.
• Collaborate with unit heads and research grant unit to develop costing toolkits for budgeting purposes.
• Review and maintain schedule of internal services income, ensuring all internal services income is billed and managed effectively, collaborating with research grants unit and the heads of units.
• Perform actuals vs budget analysis for internal income, develop and maintain tracking reports.
• Develop scenario-based costing models to support strategic decisions (e.g. expansion, new research units, or funding changes).
• Support faculty and grant management team with grant budget information, financial reporting and related enquiries.

ASSETS AND INSURANCE MANAGEMENT

• Maintenance of the fixed asset register, including additions, disposals, depreciation, amortization and asset impairments, and prepare the fixed asset register and reconciliation to the financial system.
• Plan and assist the asset controller in coordinating the asset tagging, verification, transfer and nil book value assessments and update financial system accordingly.
• Prepare the asset disposal schedules.
• Maintain of lease schedules in accordance with IFRS.
• Support the financial reporting specialist to plan, co-ordinate and review work of the asset controller.
• Support the financial reporting specialist with the annual insurance renewal process, providing necessary information.
• Submit and track the institutes insurance claims.
• Develop SOPs for asset processes.

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION AND TEAM SUPPORT

• Maintain documentation for audit readiness and risk mitigation.
• Assist in internal & external audit process as necessary.
• Plan, organize and manage own workload, with supervision from line manager.
• Support the financial accountant and act as the delegate as needed.
• Continuously maintain professional and technical knowledge.

Minimum Qualifications

• BCom Honours Degree or Equivalent, with relevant experience, or

Minimum Experience

• Min 3 years' experience at cost accountant level or similar
• Asset management experience
• ERP experience
• Experience in research or academic, and post-award grant management (advantage).

Knowledge Required

• International Financial Reporting Standards
• Relevant South African legislation (VAT)
• Relevant South African good business governance and accounting regulations and knowledge on how to best implement these

Worker Type

Employee

The application closing date

30 Nov 2025

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.