Financial and Cost Accountant

Omega HR Solutions; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing firm in Johannesburg is seeking a finance professional with strong cost accounting expertise. In this role, you will lead a small finance team, manage financial reports, and provide insights to improve profitability. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in a manufacturing environment and solid leadership skills, along with a relevant diploma or BCom. This position offers opportunities to contribute to financial forecasting and budgeting.

Qualifications

• Matric plus a relevant Diploma or BCom (articles completed essential).
• At least 5 years' finance experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 2-3 years' supervisory experience managing a finance team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a small finance team.
• Oversee accurate record-keeping and prepare financial reports.
• Drive forecasting, budgeting, and financial modelling for new product initiatives.

Skills

Cost accounting expertise

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Presentation skills

Education

Relevant Diploma or BCom

Job description

Overview

My client is seeking a finance professional with strong cost accounting expertise to join a manufacturing environment at factory level. This role requires someone with hands-on accounting ability, leadership experience, and the confidence to present accurate financial insights at executive level.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead and manage a small finance team (approx. 2–3 staff).
• Oversee accurate record-keeping and prepare clear financial reports for audits, management, and operational use.
• Compile monthly management reports with analysis and present findings to senior leadership.
• Drive forecasting, budgeting, and financial modelling for new product initiatives.
• Develop and maintain costing models, BOMs, and production process accounting.
• Calculate unit product costs through both job costing and process costing methods.
• Handle reconciliations, cashbook, petty cash, journals, and asset register maintenance.
• Monitor work in progress (WIP) and ensure accurate variance analysis reporting.
• Interpret and apply financial legislation, tax, VAT, COIDA, and industry regulations.
• Support executive and operational teams with financial insights to improve factory profitability.
• Participate in implementing ERP/financial systems, ISO 9001:2015 QMS, and time/attendance systems.
• Coordinate interim and annual stock counts, manage audit queries, and oversee special accounting projects.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of financial processes in line with production requirements.

What we’re looking for:

• Matric plus a relevant Diploma or BCom (articles completed are essential).
• Knowledge of IFRS and solid technical accounting skills.
• At least 5 years’ finance experience within a manufacturing environment, ideally in automotive component remanufacturing (e.g. engines, gearboxes, brake systems, injectors, tyres, upholstery).
• Minimum 2–3 years’ supervisory experience managing a finance team.
• Strong background in costing, production finance, and budget compilation.
• Ability to compile and present financial results and budgets directly to executives.
• Solid systems knowledge and the ability to work across finance, production, and management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and presentation skills.