Cost Accountant

Please note that M3 is hiring on behalf of another company.

Our client, a global company operating in the fruit industry and situated in Paarl (Western Cape), has an exciting career opportunity for a Cost Accountant to join their team.

This is a hybrid role that requires 2–3 office days per week.

The ideal candidate is analytical and detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving, organisational and communication skills, and the ability to build effective working relationships while driving continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for managing and optimising the organisation's product, inventory and production costs.

KPI’s will include (but not be limited to):

• Cost Management & Cost Analysis: Reviewing operational and production costs; developing and maintaining costing models; analysing profitability, margins and cost variances; identifying cost reduction opportunities and recommending operational improvements.

• Inventory Accounting & Valuation: Maintaining inventory costing methodologies; reviewing inventory valuations; coordinating stock counts; investigating inventory variances; monitoring inventory provisions; ensuring accurate cost of goods sold reporting.

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Supporting annual budgets and forecasts; preparing departmental cost budgets; monitoring budget performance; assisting with scenario planning and strategic cost projections.

• Management Reporting: Preparing monthly cost and profitability reports; producing operational performance reports; presenting cost analyses and financial insights; monitoring financial and operational KPIs.

• Capital Expenditure & Investment Analysis: Evaluating capital expenditure proposals; conducting cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses; monitoring approved capital projects; supporting investment decisions.

• Continuous Improvement & Process Optimisation: Identifying process improvement opportunities; enhancing costing procedures and controls; supporting system improvements; improving reporting capabilities and costing methodologies.

• Internal Controls & Governance: Maintaining inventory and costing controls; reviewing costing processes; ensuring compliance with company policies and accounting standards; supporting internal and external audits.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Partnering with operational and commercial teams; supporting management with financial analysis; communicating cost information; building cross-functional relationships.

Essential qualifications, skills, and experience:

• BCom degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, Cost Accounting or an equivalent qualification required; registration with CIMA, SAIPA, SAICA or a related professional body will be advantageous;

• Experience in Cost or Management Accounting, including costing models, inventory accounting, budgeting and forecasting, operational and production cost analysis, and management reporting;

• Experience in the agricultural industry and within a multinational company environment will be preferred; experience in manufacturing, FMCG, export-focused business, and project management will be advantageous;

• Strong computer proficiency (Advanced MS Excel, ERP and financial reporting systems).

Please apply online at www.m3online.co.za before 09:00 on 4 August 2026.

For general enquiries, contact our team at M3 Human Capital Management on 021 863 1444.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If no feedback is received within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.