Cost & Management Accountant: Data-Driven Profit Optimizer

Pro Talent; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Pro Talent in Durban is seeking a dynamic Cost and Management Accountant to develop costing models, improve inventory valuation, and deliver actionable profitability insights. You will partner with production, procurement and IT to automate reporting and strengthen data ownership across the business.

You will build robust costing tools, validate standard vs actuals, and support budgets, forecasts and pricing decisions. A SA accounting degree and strong ERP/Power BI skills are essential.

Qualifications

• SA degree in accounting or finance or management accounting.
• CA(SA) or CIMA qualification is advantageous with relevant experience.
• Experience in cost and management accounting in manufacturing or inventory-heavy businesses.
• Strong costing knowledge, variances, yields and inventory valuation.
• Proficient in Power BI, Power Query, SQL and ERP systems.
• Advanced Excel and MS Office skills.
• Ability to build models and present clear management information.
• Experience delivering reporting or system improvements independently.
• Business acumen with customer focus and process improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Build and improve costing tools, dashboards and reconciliation workflows.
• Develop costing models for materials, labour, overheads and yields.
• Validate assumptions with production and procurement; manage variances.
• Analyse gross profit by SKU, channel and production run.
• Investigate margin erosion and stock allocation issues; recommend actions.
• Ensure accurate valuation of raw materials, WIP and finished goods.
• Lead stock counts and reconcile ERP with warehouse data.
• Collaborate with ERP/IT/ops to improve data quality and reporting.
• Translate process findings into clear actions for managers.
• Support budgets, forecasts and scenario modelling.
• Provide insights for pricing, promotions and production planning.

Skills

Cost accounting

Data-driven decision making

Financial analysis

Independent reporting

Education

SA degree in accounting/finance/management accounting

CA(SA) or CIMA advantageous

Tools

Power BI

Power Query

SQL

Meat Matrix ERP

Excel

Job description

Pro Talent in Durban is seeking a dynamic Cost and Management Accountant to develop costing models, improve inventory valuation, and deliver actionable profitability insights. You will partner with production, procurement and IT to automate reporting and strengthen data ownership across the business.

You will build robust costing tools, validate standard vs actuals, and support budgets, forecasts and pricing decisions. A SA accounting degree and strong ERP/Power BI skills are essential.