JOB DETAILS:

The Management Accountant is a vital role that bridges the gap between finance and operations. This position is responsible for forward-looking analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and providing critical insights to drive business performance. Unlike traditional accounting roles focused on historical reporting, the Management Accountant uses financial data to influence future strategy, optimize costs, and improve profitability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Management Reporting & Analysis:

• Prepare and distribute timely monthly management accounts, including detailed variance analysis against budget and forecast.
• Develop and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track business performance.
• Provide insightful commentary on financial results, explaining the "why" behind the numbers and recommending corrective actions.
• Create customized reports and dashboards for various department heads.

2. Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with department managers.
• Prepare rolling quarterly forecasts to update the company's financial outlook.
• Work with operational teams to develop accurate production or departmental budgets.

3. Costing & Profitability Analysis:

• Analyze product, project, and customer profitability.
• Work closely with the Plant Accountant to understand manufacturing costs, overhead absorption, and variances (e.g., material, labor, overhead).
• Support pricing decisions and tender submissions with robust cost models.

4. Business Partnering:

• Act as a financial advisor to non-financial department heads (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Operations).
• Provide financial modeling and analysis for new business initiatives, capital expenditures, and process improvements.
• Challenge business assumptions and strategies with data-driven insights.

5. Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve reporting efficiency and the quality of financial information.
• Assist in developing and enhancing planning and analysis systems.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. A professional qualification such as CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), or CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is highly desirable.
• Experience: 3-5 years of experience in a management accounting, financial analysis, or cost accounting role.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, etc.) is essential. Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and business intelligence (BI) tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is a strong advantage.
• Industry Experience: Experience in [Your Industry, e.g., manufacturing] is preferred.

Competencies and Personal Attributes

• Analytical Mindset: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a curious nature.
• Business Acumen: Ability to understand operational drivers and connect financial data to business activities.
• Proactive & Forward-Looking: Naturally inclined to look ahead and anticipate business needs, rather than just reporting on the past.
• Excellent Communicator: Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for non-financial colleagues.
• Collaborative Partner: A team player who builds strong relationships across the organization.
• Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to detail while understanding the broader strategic context.