Chartered Accountant (CA(SA))

The Chartered Accountant CA(SA) is responsible for managing the company’s financial reporting, budgeting, costing, compliance, and strategic financial planning.

Within an FMCG and manufacturing environment, the role places strong emphasis on inventory management, production costing, profitability analysis, working capital management, and supporting operational decision-making to improve business performance.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS.

• Produce accurate management accounts and financial reports.

• Monitor company cash flow and liquidity.

• Manage balance sheet reconciliations.

• Ensure accurate general ledger maintenance.

• Analyse financial performance and recommend improvements.

• Prepare annual budgets and rolling forecasts.

• Analyse manufacturing costs, labour efficiencies, and overhead recoveries.

• Calculate product costing and gross profit margins.

• Monitor production variances and investigate cost deviations.

• Develop profitability reports by product, customer, and production line.

• Support pricing strategies through financial modelling.

• Monitor raw material, work-in-progress, and finished goods inventory.

• Review inventory valuations and stock provisions.

• Ensure accurate bill of materials costing.

• Analyse production efficiencies and waste.

• Partner with production managers to improve manufacturing performance.

• Review capital expenditure projects and return on investment.

• Prepare statutory financial statements.

• Ensure compliance with IFRS, the Companies Act, VAT, PAYE, Income Tax, and other relevant South African legislation.

• Coordinate external and internal audits.

• Manage tax submissions and regulatory reporting.

• Maintain strong internal financial controls.

• Work closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, and Production departments.

• Provide financial insights to support operational and strategic decision-making.

• Assist management with cost-saving initiatives and profitability improvement.

• Support business planning through accurate financial analysis and reporting.

• Present financial information clearly to senior management and key stakeholders.

• Qualified CA(SA), registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

• CA(SA) certificate or proof of registration is required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent.

• Completion of SAICA articles.

• Postgraduate qualification would be advantageous.

• MBA or CIMA would be advantageous for senior finance roles.

• 3 to 8 years’ post-articles experience, depending on seniority.

• Previous experience within an FMCG or manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of:

  • Manufacturing accounting

  • Cost accounting

  • Inventory management

  • Budgeting and forecasting

  • Financial reporting

  • Business partnering

• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Sage X3, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or Syspro.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• Experience managing finance teams would be advantageous.

• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills.

• Commercial and business acumen.

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• High attention to detail and accuracy.

• Leadership and people management skills.

• Strong communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

• Excellent organisational and planning skills.

• Advanced Excel and financial systems proficiency.

• Knowledge of IFRS and South African tax legislation.

• Strong stakeholder management skills.

• Timely month-end and year-end financial reporting.

• Budget and forecast accuracy.

• Gross profit and margin improvement.

• Inventory accuracy and stock control.

• Reduction in manufacturing cost variances.

• Cash flow optimisation.

• Working capital improvements.

• Audit outcomes with minimal findings.

• Compliance with statutory reporting deadlines.

• Financial support for operational and strategic decision-making.