Cost Accountant

SUMMARY:
Take ownership. Improve systems. Drive profitability.

POSITION INFO:
This is not a traditional back-office accounting role hidden behind spreadsheets. The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of finance, operations, procurement, and inventory — playing a critical role in helping the business scale efficiently within a manufacturing environment.

The client is looking for someone who knows how to think operationally, solve problems proactively, and add value beyond the numbers. You will be involved in costing, stock optimisation, procurement alignment, and working capital management while partnering closely with operational teams on the ground.

This opportunity is ideal for a commercially minded Cost Accountant who enjoys being hands-on, improving processes, identifying inefficiencies, and influencing decision-making within a growing production environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage product costing, stock valuation, and inventory reconciliations
• Analyse variances, margins, and operational profitability
• Monitor stock movement, stock turns, and working capital efficiencies
• Partner with procurement and operations teams to improve planning and controls
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement operational improvements
• Strengthen costing controls and reporting accuracy across the business
• Support ERP and inventory management processes

• Education:
  • BCom Accounting / Cost & Management Accounting or a related qualification
  • CIMA / SAIPA advantageous
• Experience:
  • 3–5 years’ experience within cost accounting, inventory, or manufacturing finance
  • Strong exposure to stock, costing, and operational finance environments
  • Experience within manufacturing, industrial, FMCG, or production advantageous
• Skills:
  • Advanced Excel skills
  • ERP system exposure advantageous
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
  • Commercial mindset with operational thinking
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Must be proactive, solutions-driven, and able to think critically

• Finance Manager / FM / Financial Controller
• Chartered Accountant / CA(SA) / BCom Accounting / Finance
• Industrial finance / Production finance / Manufacturing finance
• Stock management / Inventory control / Costing / ERP / SAP / Pastel
• Financial reporting / Budgeting / Forecasting / Variance analysis
• Leadership / Team management / High-pressure / Operational finance