Cost Accountant Johannesburg, Gauteng, south-africa
FULL_TIME
Our Mining and Construction Equipment Manufacturing client is currently looking for a Cost Accountant based in Boksburg / East Rand, Gauteng . Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Cost Accountant to take ownership of product costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing cost analysis and the related financial controls within the companies end-to-end manufacturing operation. The successful candidate will be accountable for accurate standard costing, Bills of Materials integrity, stock-related reconciliations, monthly variance reporting and decision-support analysis that improves profitability, pricing discipline and manufacturing performance. This role requires a CIMA-qualified professional with at least five years cost-accounting experience in a manufacturing environment. The successful candidate must have strong ERP and advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities, together with practical expertise in standard costing, inventory, BOMs and variance analysis. The Cost Accountant will work closely with the Production, Procurement, Engineering and Finance departments and will report directly to the Head of Finance. Remuneration: MR Minimum Requirements CIMA qualification essential Minimum five years cost-accounting experience in a manufacturing environment essential BCom Accounting, Cost and Management Accounting, Finance or a related qualification is preferred Strong practical experience in standard costing, including raw materials, bought-out components, labour and manufacturing overheads Strong working knowledge of Bills of Materials, routings and costing master data Demonstrated inventory valuation, stock reconciliation, work-in-progress and stock-count experience Strong actual-versus-standard variance analysis and gross-margin analysis capability Experience working with ERP systems and maintaining accurate costing data Advanced Microsoft Excel skills Experience supporting month-end close, budgeting, forecasting and audits in a manufacturing environment Strong numerical accuracy, analytical ability and attention to detail Ability to work cross-functionally with Production, Procurement, Engineering and Finance Key Responsibilities Standard Costing and Master Data Maintain accurate standard-costing structures for raw materials, bought-out components, labour and manufacturing overheads. Review and update Bills of Materials, routings and master data with the relevant departments to ensure costing integrity in the ERP system. Monitor imported and locally sourced input costs. Ensure that the ERP system reflects approved supplier pricing and current costing assumptions. Maintain approved costing master data within the relevant controls and delegated limits. Cost Analysis and Reporting Prepare monthly cost-accounting reports. Perform actual-versus-standard variance analysis. Prepare gross-margin analysis and stock-related reconciliations. Analyse material usage, labour recovery, overhead absorption, scrap, rework and production variances. Identify and escalate material costing exceptions timeously. Provide decision-support analysis that improves profitability, pricing discipline and manufacturing performance. Prepare accurate and useful costing information for management. Inventory Valuation and Control Ensure the completeness and accuracy of inventory valuation. Coordinate and support cycle counts and annual stock counts. Review and report on obsolete stock. Prepare accurate work-in-progress reports. Coordinate inventory-count processes. Instruct responsible employees to perform recounts where discrepancies are identified. Prepare stock-related reconciliations, inventory provisions and supporting control evidence. Investigate inventory variances and recommend corrective action. Month-End Reporting, Budgeting and Forecasting Support month-end close activities relating to inventory and manufacturing. Prepare and process manufacturing journals, accruals, provisions and reconciliations. Support the annual budgeting and forecasting process. Provide cost drivers, production assumptions and inventory provisions for budgets and forecasts. Assist with standard-cost reviews. Finalise proposed standard-cost changes, stock provisions and inventory-related reconciliations for review and approval by the Head of Finance. Ensure that all costing and inventory information is complete and submitted timeously. Business Partnering and Commercial Support Partner with Production, Procurement, Engineering and Finance to validate landed costs. Assist with new-product costing. Provide financial analysis to support make-versus-buy decisions. Review and validate product-margin assumptions. Investigate margin leakage and pricing anomalies. Recommend corrective action where costing or pricing discrepancies are identified. Communicate material costing, stock and production exceptions to the relevant stakeholders timeously. Provide costing information and support to operational departments as required. Cost Control and Continuous Improvement Identify waste, process inefficiencies and cost-improvement opportunities. Recommend corrective action to improve cost control and manufacturing performance. Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve margins. Review costing and reporting processes for accuracy and efficiency. Improve ERP controls relating to costing, BOMs, routings and inventory. Promote continuous improvement within the Finance function. Ensure that costing reports remain relevant, accurate and useful to management. Audit and Compliance Support Support internal and external audits. Prepare costing schedules, reconciliations, stock information and control evidence. Ensure that costing and inventory records are complete, accurate and readily available. Maintain supporting documentation for all material costing and inventory transactions. Comply with the companys Business Management System, policies and procedures. Identify and report potential control weaknesses or non-compliance. Authority and Governance Maintain BOM, routing and approved costing master data in the ERP system within approved controls and delegated limits. Finalise proposed standard-cost changes, stock provisions and inventory-related reconciliations for review and approval by the Head of Finance. Coordinate inventory-count processes and request recounts where discrepancies are identified. Identify and report potential risks and opportunities in accordance with the companys Enterprise Risk Management Framework policy. Propose corrective action to the Head of Finance. Question and report potential non-compliance with the companys Business Management System, policies and procedures. Stakeholder Coordination Work closely with the Production, Procurement, Engineering and Finance teams. Communicate costing, inventory and production variances clearly and timeously. Assist internal departments with costing and stock-related queries. Support the effective flow of financial and operational information between departments. Maintain professional and cooperative working relationships with internal stakeholders. Escalate significant risks, variances and costing exceptions to the Head of Finance. Competencies and Personal Attributes Strong analytical and problem-solving ability High level of numerical accuracy Excellent attention to detail Sound commercial judgement and cost discipline Methodical and control-focused working style Ability to interpret manufacturing cost drivers and explain findings clearly Strong organisational, prioritisation and time-management skills Proactive approach to identifying risks, variances and improvement opportunities Ability to work independently Willingness to take ownership and accountability for deliverables Professional written and verbal communication skills Effective cross-functional collaboration Ability to work under pressure and meet reporting deadlines Commitment to continuous improvement Commitment to complying with approved financial and operational controls Please take note: If you have not been contacted within 14 days, please consider your application unsuccessful.