South : Cost Accountant posted Talent Candey

Employer Talent Candey Location South Africa Job type Client Services/Sales Support Salary Not specified Buy Maps Posted 19 Oct 2026

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting and managing key areas of the plant finance function, with a strong focus on costing, Bills of Materials (BOMs), inventory management, Work in Progress (WIP) reconciliations, variance analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.

The ideal candidate will have previous Cost Accounting experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably within food production, FMCG or a similar high-volume production environment.

Our reputable QSR / Food Manufacturing client is currently seeking an experienced Cost Accountant to join their Finance team based at their Sauce Plant in Newlands East, Durban.

This is a hands-on role requiring an analytical and detail-oriented finance professional who can work closely with Finance, Production, Warehouse and Operations teams to ensure accurate costing, effective inventory controls, and reliable financial reporting.

• Tertiary qualification in Financial Management, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CIMA qualification or studies will be advantageous.
• Valid Code 8 driver’s license.
• Own reliable vehicle.

• Minimum 2+ years’ experience as a Cost Accountant or in a closely related Cost & Management Accounting role.
• Previous experience within a manufacturing environment is essential.
• Experience with in food production, FMCG, QSR manufacturing or a similar high-volume production environment is highly advantageous.
• Practical experience in costing and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Experience with inventory management and stock controls.
• Strong experience conducting WIP reconciliations and variance analysis.
• Experience in financial and management reporting.
• Practical exposure to budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience using Sage 200 Evolution or a similar accounting system will be advantageous.

• Cost Accounting and product costing.
• Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Inventory management and stock control.
• Work in Progress (WIP) reconciliations.
• Cost, material, and inventory variance analysis.
• Financial and management reporting.
• Budget preparation and monitoring.
• Forecasting.
• General Ledger reconciliations.
• Internal financial controls.
• Cost reduction and margin improvement.
• Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Accounting/ERP systems.

• Maintain accurate product costing and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Ensure costing information accurately reflects raw materials, production activity, and finished products.
• Ensure raw materials are correctly transferred into Work in Progress before production commences.
• Monitor product costs and investigate costing discrepancies.
• Work closely with Production and Operations to maintain accurate costing information.

• Monitor and manage financial controls relating to raw materials, WIP and finished goods inventory.
• Conduct weekly and month-end WIP reconciliations.
• Monitor production movements and ensure transactions are accurately reflected within the accounting system.
• Investigate discrepancies between physical stock movements and system records.
• Assist in strengthening inventory controls and improving stock accuracy.

• Analyze material, stock, production, and cost variances.
• Investigate significant variances and identify underlying causes.
• Work closely with operational teams to resolve costing and inventory discrepancies.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and margin enhancement.
• Provide management with meaningful analysis to support operational decision-making.

• Prepare accurate and…