GM - Cost Accountant

Job Summary
The General Manager – Cost Accountant will lead and manage all cost accounting activities within the organization, playing a critical role in supporting pricing strategies, improving operational efficiency, and conducting profitability analyses. This position oversees product costing, inventory valuation, variance analysis, and cost control, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards. The GM will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to provide actionable insights that drive informed business decisions and enhance overall financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

Product & Process Costing:
You will be responsible for managing the preparation and ongoing maintenance of accurate standard costs for all products. This includes supervising costing activities related to Bill of Materials (BOM), labor, overhead allocation, and machine hours. Ensuring timely and precise updates of costs within ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics is essential.

Variance Analysis:
Conduct in-depth analysis of material, labor, and overhead variances by comparing actual costs against standard costs. Prepare comprehensive variance reports and root-cause analyses, and recommend corrective actions to minimize deviations and control costs effectively.

Budgeting & Forecasting:
Support the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts focused on production costs. Provide critical cost inputs for pricing strategies, tender submissions, and capital expenditure evaluations. Work collaboratively with operational teams to establish and review cost standards regularly.

Inventory Management & Valuation:
Oversee the valuation of inventory, including Raw Materials, Work in Progress (WIP), and Finished Goods, ensuring compliance with IFRS or local GAAP standards. Supervise physical stock counts, reconciliations, and inventory adjustments to maintain accurate financial records.

Reporting & Decision Support:
Prepare timely and accurate cost reports, dashboards, and profitability analyses for management review. Provide insights aimed at improving cost efficiency, optimizing processes, and reducing waste. Support costing activities related to new product launches and margin analysis.

Internal Control & Compliance:
Ensure all costing processes adhere to corporate policies, accounting standards, and tax regulations. Facilitate statutory and internal audits by supplying relevant costing information. Identify gaps in controls and implement measures to strengthen internal controls over inventory and costing.

Team Leadership & Collaboration:
Lead, mentor, and develop the costing team to maintain high standards of accuracy and accountability. Coordinate effectively with production, procurement, warehouse, and finance departments to ensure alignment of processes and operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications
- Professional accounting certification such as CA (Finalist/Qualified), ACMA, ACCA, or equivalent.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 to 7 years of experience in cost accounting, preferably within manufacturing or FMCG sectors.
- Prior supervisory or managerial experience in costing roles is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics.

Key Skills
- Deep expertise in costing methodologies, standard cost systems, and inventory control.
- Advanced capabilities in variance analysis and cost reduction strategies.
- Strong analytical skills with keen attention to detail.
- Proficiency in reporting tools including MS Excel and Business Intelligence applications.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
- Ability to collaborate across multiple functions in a fast-paced environment.

Job Type and Compensation
This is a full-time, on-site position offering a competitive monthly salary ranging from Rs 400,000 to Rs 500,000. The role requires hands-on leadership and active engagement with various departments to drive excellence in cost management and financial performance.