Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant

Strand, Western Cape | Permanent | On-site

Salary R50 000 – R60 000 per month

A well-established manufacturing business within the FMCG sector is seeking a hands-on Cost Accountant to join its finance team. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented finance professional who enjoys working closely with operations and contributing directly to profitability, stock control, and process improvement.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Financial Manager, this role combines cost accounting, inventory management, and financial accounting responsibilities within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will work closely with production, warehouse, and commercial teams to improve costing accuracy, strengthen controls, and drive operational efficiencies.

This is a fully on-site role with regular involvement in factory operations.

Key Responsibilities

Costing & Profitability

• Analyse key cost drivers and report on material, labour, overhead, and margin variances
• Monitor production yields, waste, and material usage against standards
• Maintain and improve BOMs and standard costing accuracy
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency improvements
• Partner with operational teams to improve profitability and cost control

Inventory & Stock Control

• Lead stock takes and cycle count processes
• Investigate and resolve stock variances and discrepancies
• Monitor slow-moving and obsolete stock
• Ensure accurate stock transactions across production and dispatch processes
• Strengthen adherence to stock control procedures

Financial Reporting & Processing

• Process accounting transactions up to trial balance level
• Assist with monthly management reporting and budgeting
• Prepare reconciliations, journals, and supporting schedules
• Support VAT submissions and fixed asset administration
• Review daily sales and goods received listings

Controls & Compliance

• Maintain strong financial controls and compliance with internal procedures
• Support internal and external audit requirements
• Assist with payment controls and banking processes
• Support wage payment control procedures

Data & Systems

• Track KPIs and identify operational risks or variances
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of costing and operational data
• Contribute to reporting automation and process improvements

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting
• CIMA qualified or currently studying toward completion (Strategic Level or above)
• 2–5 years’ relevant experience, preferably within manufacturing or FMCG
• Strong Excel skills
• ERP system exposure advantageous (Syspro experience beneficial)

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• High attention to detail and process discipline
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Hands-on, proactive, and improvement-driven
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage across departments
• Ability to take ownership and meet deadlines consistently

What Success Looks Like

• Accurate and reliable costing and stock reporting
• Improved visibility into production and operational costs
• Reduced stock variances and stronger process compliance
• Meaningful contribution to efficiency and profitability improvements

Apply now!

Stefan Pretorius

Recruiter

***email_hidden***