ENVIRONMENT:

A company headquartered in Germany that emphasizes innovation for growth is seeking a Management Accountant who will be responsible for overseeing financial management activities within a manufacturing environment while also supporting group consolidation and reporting across the organization. This role combines strong expertise in cost accounting, financial analysis, and budgeting with the ability to manage financial consolidations for a multi-entity structure. The successful candidate will work closely with the finance team and other departments to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, cost control, and strategic financial planning across both manufacturing operations and the wider group.

DUTIES:

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance:

• Calculate and analyse standard costs for products, materials, labour, and overhead within the manufacturing environment.
• Maintain and update cost accounting systems to ensure accurate allocation of costs to products and services.
• Perform variance analysis (e.g., material, labour, overhead) and provide insights to drive cost reduction initiatives.
• Lead cost modelling efforts for new products and production processes, ensuring that manufacturing costs are aligned with pricing strategies and profitability goals.

Group Consolidation & Reporting:

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual group consolidation process, ensuring accurate and timely consolidation of financial results for all subsidiaries and entities.
• Prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with group accounting policies and applicable accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP).
• Ensure that intercompany transactions are properly eliminated, and any necessary adjustments for group reporting are made.

Financial Reporting & Analysis:

• Prepare management accounts, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for both individual entities and the consolidated group.
• Provide variance analysis and interpret financial results to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Review performance against budget, forecast, and prior periods, providing insights and recommendations for improvement.
• Prepare reports for senior management, highlighting key financial metrics and advising on actions to improve business performance.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Coordinate the annual budgeting process for manufacturing operations, as well as group-wide financial planning, including sales, production costs, and overheads.
• Provide input into the group-level forecast process, ensuring that manufacturing and operational data are accurately reflected.
• Assist in developing financial models to project future performance and capital requirements at both the subsidiary and group level.
• Provide monthly and quarterly forecasting support, revising projections based on actual performance and business changes.

Inventory & Cost Control:

• Oversee and ensure accurate inventory management, including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, across manufacturing sites.
• Lead the monthly reconciliation of inventory values, ensuring compliance with accounting policies and financial standards.
• Support inventory control processes by identifying cost-saving opportunities related to raw materials, production efficiency, and supply chain management.

Financial Analysis & Strategic Support:

• Provide detailed financial analysis on product profitability, cost structure optimization, and capital expenditure planning for both the manufacturing division and the broader group.
• Conduct break-even analysis, margin analysis, and other profitability studies to guide pricing decisions, cost reductions, and investment strategies.
• Support strategic decision-making, including make-or-buy analysis, plant efficiency studies, and profitability assessments for new product lines or market segments.

Internal Controls & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP), including managing the financial reporting requirements of the group.
• Work closely with external auditors during year-end audits, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of financial data for group consolidation and individual entity audits.
• Ensure that robust internal controls are in place for financial reporting, cost accounting, and inventory management.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with tax regulations and financial reporting standards.

Process Improvement & Systems Development:

• Continuously identify opportunities for process improvements across financial reporting, cost accounting, and consolidation workflows.
• Recommend and implement improvements to ERP systems and accounting processes to enhance data accuracy, financial efficiency, and automation.
• Support cross-functional teams (e.g., production, operations, procurement) in aligning financial reporting practices with operational activities and business objectives.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Education:
  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (essential). Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or progress toward qualification is highly desirable.
• Experience:
  
  
  
  • At least 4-6 years of experience in management accounting or finance, with significant exposure to cost accounting and financial reporting in a manufacturing or multi-entity environment.
  • Hands-on experience with group consolidation, intercompany eliminations, and multi-entity reporting processes.
  • Proficiency in using ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, financial modelling, macros).
  • Knowledge of IFRS, GAAP, and other relevant financial regulations, particularly as they apply to group consolidation and multi-entity environments.\
  
  
• Skills:
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for both manufacturing operations and group-level decision-making.
• Expertise in cost control, budget management, and financial forecasting, particularly within a manufacturing context.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise with senior management and various departments across the organization.
• Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  
  
  
  • Desirable Attributes:
    
    
    
    • Familiarity with tax planning and cross-border financial management.
    • Experience in driving process improvements, including the implementation of automated systems for financial reporting and consolidation.
    • Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and cost optimization techniques.
    
    
  
  

While we would really like to respond to every application, should you not be contacted for this position within 10 working days please consider your application unsuccessful.

COMMENTS:

When applying for jobs, ensure that you have the minimum job requirements. Only SA Citizens will be considered for this role. If you are not in the mentioned location of any of the jobs, please note your relocation plans in all applications for jobs and correspondence. Apply here https://www.datafin.com/job/management-accountant-2/

OR e-mail a Word copy of your CV to wendy@datafin.com and mention the reference number of the job.