Plant Accountant at AECI Limited

Job Description    

Purpose of the job

• The Plant accountant is responsible for management accounting with respect to the Operations and Physical supply chain of the business, ensuring accurate and timely reporting, accurate and complete cost allocations, and value-added analysis to support Operations and PSC
• Ensure product costing are accurate and reflect reality of the goods produced; to provide timely and accurate financial information to shareholders and management of the AECI Chemicals division to enable them to make sound, informed decisions
• Ensure that there are adequate internal controls covering all financial risk areas and that any inadequacies are brought to the attention of the executive
• Required outputs: Functional

Planning and budgeting:

• Assist with AECI entity budget process, in conformance with the AECI guidelines and principles
• Assist with monitoring and controlling expenditure within approved level, ensuring compliance with budgetary control procedures and policies
• Prepare budget & forecast reports for Income Statement and Balance Sheet
• Ensure costings for the budget are accurate and complete
• Production hour determination based on the sales forecasts
• Quarterly preparation and review of forecasts – updating planned expenditures where necessary
• Assist Operations / PSC with the 3-year capex plan

Financial management & Reporting:

• Compile financial information in preparing financial statements including monthly and annual reporting
• Ensure financial records are maintained in compliance with accepted policies and procedures
• Prepare monthly and year-to-date financials with accompanying analysis of results and insight into variances
• Prepare monthly management reporting packages
• Analyse manufacturing cost centres to ensure costs are accurately reflected
• Analyse manufacturing variances monthly to identify issues in production and recommend improvements with the logistics and operations teams
• Creation of costings for new Bill of Materials (BOMs) to ensure new products are accurately costed
• Analyse product costings on a monthly basis to ensure that product costs reflect latest material costs and validate and approve monthly costing run
• Ensure all financial reporting deadlines are met
• Review financial reconciliations (including GL)
• Authorise month end journal postings
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities
• Conduct ad-hoc financial analysis as required to support the Operations / Physical Supply Chain Teams
• Assist Operations / Physical Supply Chain with analysis around capex spend and adherence to 3-year capex plan
• Assist with preparation and analysis of returns on significant capex approvals
• Monitor capex spend to ensure it is in line with approved amounts
• Submit capex approval in the SAP Project Systems
• Annual assistance of fixed asset verification in conjunction with the Capital Accountant
• Annual useful life review of all significant assets in line with Group Policies and with the aid of the Capital Accountant

Business control and Governance:

• Keep abreast and comply with accounting standards and all legislation relating to accounting matters
• Identify internal control weaknesses and assist in developing and implementing improvement opportunities
• Regular site visits to ensure internal controls are operating as intended (peer review audit)
• Ensure compliance with SLA criteria (specific to area of responsibility)
• Comply with Safety, Health, and Environment standards
• External/Internal Audit Co-Ordination:
• Assist with the review of audit instructions and compile/prepare supporting documentation for the audit process

Qualifications & Experience    

• Matric.
• CPIM, B Com degree or equivalent (Honours would be advantageous)
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as an Accountant, experience as a costing / manufacturing accountant will be advantageous
• Advanced knowledge of finance systems (SAP, BW, BO, Cognos)
• Knowledge of International Financial report standards (IFRS)
• Knowledge of accepted Accounting Standards (IAAS)
• Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel and Power point)
• Knowledge of financial policies, procedures and processes

Personal attributes

(Competencies (skills, knowledge and characteristic)

• Analyzing
• Entrepreneurial & Commercial Thinking
• Adhering to principles and values
• Planning & organizing
• Relationship and networking
• Results driven
• Able to work under pressure
• Effective communication and Presentation skills
• Attention to detail
• Project management
• Report writing

Closing Date    

• 2025/07/01