Management Accountant (Costing Specialist)

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 780,000 - 980,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Professional development

Online learning resources

Virtual team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Management Accountant (costing) for a remote-first role with operations based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. You will develop cost systems, analyze variances, and provide reporting to drive profitability and efficiency across manufacturing processes.

The role requires 4–6 years in management accounting with a strong costing focus, advanced Excel, and ERP/BI tool experience. Remote work flexibility is offered, with collaboration across departments to support cost

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting/management accounting or related field.
• CIMA or similar professional qualification preferred.
• 4–6 years of management accounting experience with costing in manufacturing.
• Proficient in Excel; experience with ERP systems (SAP/Oracle/Syspro) and BI tools.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and supply chain dynamics.
• Ability to work independently in a remote workload.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain cost accounting systems and methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, identify variances, and provide explanations and recommendations.
• Prepare cost reports including product costing, overhead allocation, and standard costing.
• Collaborate with production and operations to gather cost data and understand variances.
• Assist in annual budgeting and forecasts focusing on cost elements.
• Conduct profitability analysis by product, customer, and project.
• Support inventory valuation and management processes.
• Contribute to pricing strategies with cost information.
• Streamline and automate costing processes where possible.
• Prepare ad-hoc costing analyses for senior management.

Skills

Advanced Excel

ERP experience

BI tools

Analytical skills

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Management Accounting

CIMA or similar professional qualification

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Syspro

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading manufacturing entity with operations based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal , is actively searching for a skilled Management Accountant with a specialization in costing. This role is crucial for driving profitability and operational efficiency by providing accurate cost analysis, reporting, and strategic insights. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining cost accounting systems, analysing variances, and supporting management in cost reduction initiatives. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented professional with a strong understanding of manufacturing processes and a passion for financial analysis. As a remote-first position, you will have the flexibility to work from anywhere while contributing significantly to our client's success. We are looking for someone who can bring a fresh perspective and drive continuous improvement in our costing methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain robust cost accounting systems and methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, identify variances, and provide explanations and recommendations for improvement.
• Prepare detailed cost reports, including product costing, overhead allocation, and standard costing.
• Collaborate with production and operations teams to gather cost data and understand production variances.
• Assist in the development of the annual budget and periodic forecasts, focusing on cost elements.
• Conduct profitability analysis by product, customer, and project.
• Support inventory valuation and management processes.
• Contribute to pricing strategies by providing accurate cost information.
• Streamline and automate costing processes where possible.
• Prepare ad-hoc costing analysis as required by senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, or a related field.
• Professional qualifications like CIMA or similar are preferred.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in management accounting, with a strong focus on costing within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in cost accounting principles, methods, and systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Syspro) and BI tools.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supply chain dynamics.
• Ability to work independently and effectively manage a remote workload.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Proactive approach to identifying and implementing process improvements.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package and the significant advantage of a fully remote working arrangement. This includes opportunities for professional development, access to online learning resources, and a supportive virtual team environment. While the role is remote, the company culture fosters strong collaboration and engagement. This is a fantastic opportunity to advance your career as a Costing Specialist without the need to relocate to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal .