An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Cost Accountant to join a dynamic manufacturing organisation.

Reporting to the Plant Controller, the successful candidate will provide costing and financial support to the factory finance function through accurate product costing, inventory management, variance analysis, budgeting support and ERP data management.

The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining accurate financial information, supporting operational decision-making, strengthening internal controls and ensuring compliance with financial reporting standards and company policies.

Position Details

📍 Location: Port Elizabeth
🕒 Working Hours: Monday to Friday, during standard business hours
📄 Contract Type: Permanent
💰 Remuneration: Market-related and commensurate with qualifications and relevant manufacturing finance experience
📅 Applications Closing Date: 22 July 2026

Additional hours may be required during month-end, year-end, stock counts and budgeting cycles.

Key Responsibilities

Product Costing and Inventory Control

• Maintain standard costing information for raw materials, labour and manufacturing overheads.
• Prepare accurate product costing schedules and financial reports.
• Assist with inventory valuation activities and cost roll-ups.
• Support annual, quarterly and cycle stock counts.
• Verify Bills of Materials and routing accuracy within the ERP system.
• Prepare import costing files for system updates.
• Monitor stock count completion across all sites.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and resolve stock variances.
• Produce inventory and costing reports for management.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and company costing procedures.

Cost Control and Variance Analysis

• Prepare material, labour and overhead variance reports.
• Analyse manufacturing cost variances and identify root causes.
• Collect, validate and analyse production data.
• Monitor scrap, rework and production yield losses.
• Compile daily scrap reports and monthly lead balancing reports.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and operational improvement.
• Provide accurate costing information to production and engineering departments.
• Escalate significant cost deviations where necessary.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Assist with the preparation of annual manufacturing budgets.
• Support rolling forecasts and long-term financial planning.
• Analyse budgeted versus actual expenditure.
• Update costing assumptions based on operational changes.
• Assist with scenario planning and sensitivity analysis.
• Provide financial insight to support management decision-making.

ERP and Data Integrity

• Maintain costing master data within SAP or other ERP systems.
• Validate production and inventory transactions.
• Maintain Bills of Materials, routings and overhead structures.
• Correct master data discrepancies.
• Support ERP upgrades and user acceptance testing.
• Maintain costing documentation for audit purposes.
• Provide first-line support for costing-related ERP queries.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial and operational data.

Operational and Cross-Functional Support

• Support Production, Supply Chain and Operations with relevant financial information.
• Prepare cost-impact analyses for operational improvements.
• Participate in Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare operational costing reports for management.
• Support finance and factory improvement projects.
• Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Attend operational meetings and provide financial support.
• Assist with audit requirements and ad hoc finance activities.
• Promote professionalism, integrity and compliance in all financial processes.

Minimum Qualifications

✅ BCom Accounting or BCom Cost and Management Accounting at NQF Level 6.

✅ Studying towards CIMA will be advantageous.

Experience

✅ Three to seven years’ experience within a manufacturing or factory finance environment.

✅ Proven experience in cost accounting.

✅ Proven experience in inventory valuation.

✅ Proven experience in manufacturing cost analysis.

✅ Proven experience in variance reporting.

✅ Experience using ERP systems within a manufacturing environment.

✅ Experience in financial reporting and inventory control.

Skills and Competencies

Technical Skills

• Cost accounting principles.
• Manufacturing costing.
• Inventory valuation.
• IFRS knowledge, particularly IAS 2 – Inventories.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• SAP FI and SAP MM.
• ERP systems.
• Bills of Materials.
• Manufacturing processes.
• Budgeting and forecasting.
• Financial analysis.
• Variance analysis.
• Financial reporting.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective planning and organisational skills.
• Strong communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to build relationships across departments.
• Customer-focused mindset.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Professional integrity and sound ethical judgement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Additional Requirements

✅ Must be legally entitled to work in South Africa.

✅ Must be able to work effectively within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

✅ Must be willing to participate in stock counts outside normal working hours when required.

✅ Must maintain the confidentiality of financial information.

✅ Must demonstrate a high level of integrity, accountability and professionalism.

✅ Must be committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Transport Requirements

Own transport is required.

Relocation Support

No relocation support is offered.

Applications

Applications close on 22 July 2026.

Use the application button below to submit your application.