Costing Analyst / Bookkeeper

Introduction

The Costing Analyst / Bookkeeper is responsible for the full-function bookkeeping cycle of the business — from source-document capture through to reconciliation with the trial balance — while also providing cost analysis on product procurement to support pricing, margin, and purchasing decisions. This is a hands-on, detail-driven role suited to someone equally comfortable in the mechanics of day-to-day bookkeeping and in analysing input costs to inform commercial decision-making.

Duties & Responsibilities

Full-Function Bookkeeping

• Capture all financial transactions accurately and timeously (sales, purchases, journals, bank transactions) in the accounting system.

• Perform full reconciliation to trial balance (TB) on a monthly basis, investigating and resolving variances.

• Process and maintain the debtors book: invoicing, allocations, age analysis, follow-up on outstanding accounts, and debtor reconciliations.

• Process and maintain the creditors book: capturing supplier invoices, matching to purchase orders/delivery notes, supplier reconciliations, and preparing payment runs.

• Maintain the cashbook: daily capture of bank transactions, bank reconciliations, and cash flow monitoring.

• Prepare and process journal entries, including accruals, prepayments, and month-end adjustments.

• Assist with VAT recons and other statutory submissions as required.

• Maintain accurate, audit-ready supporting documentation and filing (physical and electronic) for all transactions.

• Support month-end and year-end close processes, and assist with external audit requests.

Cost Analysis — Product Procurement

• Analyse the cost of purchased products/raw materials, tracking price movements and identifying cost trends over time.

• Build and maintain product/input costings, including landed cost calculations (purchase price, freight, duties, and other direct costs).

• Compare actual procurement costs against budgeted/standard costs and report on variances, with commentary on root causes.

• Support the purchasing/procurement function with cost-benefit analysis on supplier options, order quantities, and timing of purchases.

• Assist in setting and reviewing standard costs and selling price guidelines based on input cost movements.

• Prepare regular cost analysis reports and dashboards for management, highlighting margin impact of cost changes.

• Flag significant cost fluctuations proactively so management can respond to pricing or sourcing decisions in good time.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or degree in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent relevant experience).

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in a full-function bookkeeping role.

• Demonstrated experience in cost/product analysis, ideally within a procurement, manufacturing, FMCG, or agri-processing environment.

• Proficiency in an accounting/ERP system (e.g. Pastel, Sage, Xero, SAP, or similar) — [Sage Evolution used by the business].

• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and cost-modelling spreadsheets.

• SAIPA/SAICA articles or progress toward a bookkeeping/accounting qualification (e.g. ICB) advantageous but not essential.

Skills & Competencies

• High level of accuracy and strong attention to detail.

• Solid understanding of double-entry bookkeeping principles and reconciliation processes.

• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret cost data and translate it into practical recommendations.

• Well organised, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines (daily capture, monthly close, ad hoc cost reporting) simultaneously.

• Good communication skills — able to liaise confidently with suppliers, debtors, and internal stakeholders (procurement, sales, management).

• Trustworthy and discreet when handling sensitive financial and commercial information.

• Able to work independently and take ownership of the full bookkeeping function with minimal supervision.

Key Performance Areas (KPIs)

• Trial balance reconciled accurately and timeously each month, with no unexplained variances.

• Debtors and creditors ledgers maintained up to date, with ageing kept within target.

• Cashbook reconciled daily/weekly with no unresolved discrepancies.

• Product/procurement cost analysis delivered on schedule, with actionable insight into cost and margin movements.

• Month-end close completed within the business's set deadline.

• Positive audit outcomes with minimal findings relating to bookkeeping records.

Package & Remuneration

R 30 000 - R 35 000 CTC

Interested?

Submit your cv if you are intersted in the role.