Financial Accountant – Manufacturing / FMCG

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Prepare and manage annual budgets and rolling forecasts.
• Analyse financial performance against budgets and forecasts, highlighting key variances.
• Support strategic planning through financial modelling and analysis.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to assist management decision-making.

Plant Finance & Operations

• Partner closely with plant and operational management teams.
• Monitor manufacturing costs, production efficiencies, and operational performance.
• Analyse labour, material, and overhead costs, identifying improvement opportunities.
• Ensure effective control and reporting of plant-related expenditure and overheads.
• Assist in driving cost-saving and process improvement initiatives.

Reporting & Data Analysis

• Prepare accurate daily, weekly, and monthly management reports.
• Develop and maintain operational and financial KPI reporting.
• Perform detailed financial and operational data analysis.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through reporting and business analysis.
• Support management with meaningful insights to improve performance.

Financial Control

• Assist with month-end and year-end close processes.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial information.
• Maintain strong internal controls and compliance with company policies.
• Support internal and external audit requirements.
• Assist with balance sheet reconciliations and general accounting functions.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• BCom Accounting, Finance, or related qualification.
• Completed SAICA or SAIPA Articles.

Experience

• Experience within a Manufacturing or FMCG environment is essential.
• Exposure to plant finance, operational finance, or cost accounting.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, and financial analysis.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing costs and overhead allocations.

Systems & Technical Skills

• SAP experience is essential (non-negotiable).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including:
  • Pivot Tables
  • VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP
  • Complex formulas
  • Data analysis and reporting
  • Financial modelling
• Strong reporting and analytical capabilities.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Commercially minded with a proactive approach.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Results-driven with strong organisational skills.