Project Cost Accountant

A leading industrial refrigeration solutions provider is seeking a commercially minded Project Cost Accountant to join their team in Centurion Gauteng. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys partnering closely with operations project managers and business leaders to improve project profitability forecasting accuracy and overall business performance.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the financial and commercial aspects of projects and service operations providing critical insights through costing forecasting reporting and business intelligence. This position requires strong analytical skills operational understanding and the ability to communicate financial information effectively to non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

Project Cost Management

Monitor and track costs related to engineering projects installations upgrades and capital works.
Manage project budgets forecasts and actual costs identifying and investigating variances.
Perform cost-to-complete assessments and monitor project profitability throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure accurate allocation of materials labour subcontractor and overhead costs to projects.
Provide commercial and financial insights to project managers to improve margin performance.
Track project cash flows invoicing milestones retentions and working capital requirements.
Review project contingencies and identify risks impacting profitability.

Service & Maintenance Financial Analysis

Analyse the profitability of service contracts quoted work reactive call-outs and product sales.
Monitor technician productivity utilisation labour recovery and revenue performance.
Support branch-level financial analysis and operational performance reporting.
Assist with pricing reviews and margin analysis for maintenance contracts and quoted work.
Support forecasting of recurring service revenue and variable revenue streams.

Reporting & Financial Analysis

Prepare detailed financial reports dashboards and KPI analysis for project and operational activities.
Analyse cost trends margin performance and operational drivers affecting profitability.
Support monthly forecasting and annual budgeting processes.
Maintain rolling forecasts and support pipeline-to-revenue forecasting models.
Develop meaningful business intelligence reporting using Excel and Power BI.

Compliance & Internal Controls

Ensure compliance with company policies IFRS requirements and project accounting standards.
Support internal and external audits relating to projects and operational finance.
Maintain accurate project accounting records including WIP and capital expenditure tracking.
Ensure the financial integrity of project and operational data within ERP systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Liaise closely with project managers branch managers procurement teams engineers and service personnel.
Participate in project review meetings and operational performance discussions.
Provide financial input during project planning budgeting and commercial reviews.
Support operational teams in understanding financial performance and budget ownership.

Invoicing & Financial Administration

Review and validate supplier invoices against project budgets and approved purchase orders.
Track project-related purchase orders and ensure proper financial documentation is maintained.
Assist with capital expenditure justifications business cases and project financial administration.

Requirements:

Bachelors Degree in Accounting Finance Cost & Management Accounting or a related field.
CIMA qualified or actively completing the Strategic Level.
35 years experience in project accounting cost accounting FP&A or operational finance.
Experience within engineering refrigeration manufacturing technical services or project-based environments will be advantageous.
Strong understanding of project costing work-in-progress (WIP) forecasting margin analysis and operational finance.
Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite SAP Syspro or Oracle.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are essential.
Power BI experience will be advantageous.

Willingness and ability to travel to branches project sites and client locations as required.

Skills:

Strong analytical and commercial mindset.
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to communicate financial information effectively to non-financial stakeholders.
Strong business partnering and relationship-building skills.
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Proactive self-driven and operationally focused approach.
Strong financial modelling forecasting and reporting capabilities.

Benefits:

Potential benefits may include medical aid retirement fund contributions and performance-based incentives.
Opportunity to work within a leading engineering and project-driven environment with exposure to large-scale operational and commercial projects.