Project Cost Accountant

ZealHR; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

ZealHR is seeking a Project Cost Accountant to enhance the profitability of projects in Centurion, Gauteng. The role involves managing financial aspects of projects, including budgeting, cost analysis, and reporting. You'll collaborate closely with project managers to provide insights that drive business performance.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Accounting or Finance and 3-5 years in project accounting. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel and ERP systems are essential for this position. Potential benefits include medical aid and performance incentives.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in project accounting or operational finance.
• Experience within engineering or project-based environments.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and track costs related to engineering projects.
• Manage project budgets and forecasts to identify variances.
• Prepare detailed financial reports and dashboards.

Skills

Strong analytical and commercial mindset

Excellent attention to detail

Communication of financial information

Business partnering skills

Problem-solving abilities

Organizational skills

Financial modelling

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance

CIMA qualified or studying Strategic Level

Tools

ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Syspro, or Oracle)

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Job description

Job Description

A leading industrial refrigeration solutions provider is seeking a commercially minded Project Cost Accountant to join their team in Centurion, Gauteng. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys partnering closely with operations, project managers, and business leaders to improve project profitability, forecasting accuracy, and overall business performance.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the financial and commercial aspects of projects and service operations, providing critical insights through costing, forecasting, reporting, and business intelligence. This position requires strong analytical skills, operational understanding, and the ability to communicate financial information effectively to non-financial stakeholders.

Project Cost Management

• Monitor and track costs related to engineering projects, installations, upgrades, and capital works.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and actual costs, identifying and investigating variances.
• Perform cost-to-complete assessments and monitor project profitability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure accurate allocation of materials, labour, subcontractor, and overhead costs to projects.
• Provide commercial and financial insights to project managers to improve margin performance.
• Track project cash flows, invoicing milestones, retentions, and working capital requirements.
• Review project contingencies and identify risks impacting profitability.

Service & Maintenance Financial Analysis

• Analyse the profitability of service contracts, quoted work, reactive call-outs, and product sales.
• Monitor technician productivity, utilisation, labour recovery, and revenue performance.
• Support branch-level financial analysis and operational performance reporting.
• Assist with pricing reviews and margin analysis for maintenance contracts and quoted work.
• Support forecasting of recurring service revenue and variable revenue streams.

Reporting & Financial Analysis

• Prepare detailed financial reports, dashboards, and KPI analysis for project and operational activities.
• Analyse cost trends, margin performance, and operational drivers affecting profitability.
• Support monthly forecasting and annual budgeting processes.
• Maintain rolling forecasts and support pipeline-to-revenue forecasting models.
• Develop meaningful business intelligence reporting using Excel and Power BI.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Ensure compliance with company policies, IFRS requirements, and project accounting standards.
• Support internal and external audits relating to projects and operational finance.
• Maintain accurate project accounting records, including WIP and capital expenditure tracking.
• Ensure the financial integrity of project and operational data within ERP systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Liaise closely with project managers, branch managers, procurement teams, engineers, and service personnel.
• Participate in project review meetings and operational performance discussions.
• Provide financial input during project planning, budgeting, and commercial reviews.
• Support operational teams in understanding financial performance and budget ownership.

Invoicing & Financial Administration

• Review and validate supplier invoices against project budgets and approved purchase orders.
• Track project-related purchase orders and ensure proper financial documentation is maintained.
• Assist with capital expenditure justifications, business cases, and project financial administration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Cost & Management Accounting, or a related field.
• CIMA qualified or actively completing the Strategic Level.
• 3-5 years experience in project accounting, cost accounting, FP&A, or operational finance.
• Experience within engineering, refrigeration, manufacturing, technical services, or project-based environments will be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of project costing, work-in-progress (WIP), forecasting, margin analysis, and operational finance.
• Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Syspro, or Oracle.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are essential.
• Power BI experience will be advantageous.
• Willingness and ability to travel to branches, project sites, and client locations as required.

Skills

• Strong analytical and commercial mindset.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate financial information effectively to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong business partnering and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proactive, self-driven, and operationally focused approach.
• Strong financial modelling, forecasting, and reporting capabilities.

Benefits

• Potential benefits may include medical aid, retirement fund contributions, and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to work within a leading engineering and project-driven environment with exposure to large-scale operational and commercial projects.