Remote Senior Cost Accountant

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Home office stipend

Annual performance-based bonus

International exposure

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Cost Accountant for a leading global manufacturing company. This fully remote role allows you to work from anywhere in South Africa, with operational links to the Johannesburg cluster including Sandton.

You will analyze product costs, variances, inventory valuation, and drive cost-control measures. Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance and 5–7 years in cost accounting within manufacturing; SAP/Oracle ERP proficiency and advanced Excel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Professional qualification CMA, CA(SA) or CIMA is desirable.
• 5–7 years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and cost accounting software.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and attention-to-detail skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain cost accounting systems and procedures.
• Analyze manufacturing variances (material, labor, overhead) and provide root-cause insights.
• Calculate product costs for new and existing products.
• Manage and value inventory accurately, ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual budget and forecasts related to cost of goods sold.
• Support the development and implementation of cost reduction initiatives.
• Prepare regular reports on cost performance, inventory levels, and manufacturing efficiencies.
• Collaborate with operations and supply chain teams to improve cost data accuracy and processes.
• Provide financial support for operational decision-making.
• Stay current with best practices in cost accounting and manufacturing environments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strong communication

Detail-oriented

Remote work capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle ERP

Excel (Advanced)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading global manufacturing company seeking an experienced Senior Cost Accountant to join their finance department on a fully remote basis. This role offers the flexibility to work from anywhere in South Africa, making it accessible to a wide pool of talent. The Senior Cost Accountant will be responsible for analyzing and reporting on product costs, manufacturing variances, inventory valuation, and implementing cost control measures. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cost accounting principles, excellent analytical skills, and proficiency with cost accounting software and ERP systems. This is a remote-first position, offering a significant opportunity to contribute to a prominent international firm while enjoying the convenience and flexibility of working from home, with operational links to their Johannesburg cluster, including Sandton .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain cost accounting systems and procedures.


• Analyze manufacturing variances (material, labor, overhead) and provide insights into root causes.


• Calculate and analyze product costs for new and existing products.


• Manage and value inventory accurately, ensuring compliance with accounting standards.


• Assist in the preparation of the annual budget and periodic forecasts related to cost of goods sold.


• Support the development and implementation of cost reduction initiatives.


• Prepare regular reports on cost performance, inventory levels, and manufacturing efficiencies.


• Collaborate with operations and supply chain teams to improve cost data accuracy and processes.


• Provide financial support for operational decision-making.


• Stay current with best practices in cost accounting and manufacturing environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. A professional qualification (e.g., CMA, CA(SA), CIMA) is highly desirable.


• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in cost accounting, preferably within a manufacturing environment.


• Strong knowledge of cost accounting principles, methods (e.g., standard costing, activity-based costing), and inventory valuation.


• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.


• Experience with cost accounting software or modules.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with operational teams.


• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote setting.


• High level of integrity and commitment to accuracy.


• Experience working in a remote or distributed team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package for a remote-based Senior Cost Accountant.


• Fully remote working environment offering unparalleled flexibility.


• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.


• Opportunities for professional development and advanced certifications.


• Exposure to international manufacturing operations and best practices.


• Home office stipend and technological support.


• Annual performance-based bonus.