Cost Accountant

Switzella is looking for a proficient Cost Accountant to join our team, ideally with a solid background in cost accounting within manufacturing settings, particularly in the food processing industry. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining precise production cost records, analyzing cost variances, and working closely with various departments to promote cost efficiency and ensure accurate financial reporting. This role demands strong analytical abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and the capacity to handle large volumes of data efficiently.

Key Responsibilities
Maintain accurate records of production costs, including raw materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overheads. Calculate and monitor production costs by product, order, or process as required. Track consumption of raw materials and other production inputs against production requirements. Analyze actual production costs versus standard or budgeted costs, identifying significant variances. Monitor material consumption, wastage, rejection, rework, and production losses, highlighting unusual variances. Oversee direct and indirect labor costs related to production activities. Track factory overhead costs such as utilities, maintenance, depreciation, and machinery expenses. Analyze costs incurred at various production stages to identify areas of excessive or unnecessary expenditure. Coordinate with Production, Planning, Merchandising, Procurement, Stores, and Finance teams to collect and verify cost-related data. Verify production reports, material issues, returns, and consumption records for cost accuracy. Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly production cost reports for management review. Maintain and update cost sheets, ensuring all cost components are properly recorded. Assist in determining and updating standard and product costing based on current material, labor, and overhead costs. Reconcile production-related inventory and consumption records with financial data, identifying discrepancies. Support month-end closing by ensuring all production-related costs are accurately captured and allocated. Provide cost analysis and reports to support pricing, production planning, budgeting, and profitability analysis. Maintain proper documentation and records for audit purposes. Generate stock reports on an alternate basis and post audit adjustments in the system. Prepare aging stock reports. Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and established cost-control procedures.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is essential. Candidates pursuing CMA certification are preferred. A minimum of 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in Cost Accounting, Manufacturing Accounts, or Production Finance is required. Experience in the food processing and manufacturing sector is highly desirable. Proficiency in standard costing, variance analysis, wastage reduction, and production cost reporting is necessary. Strong analytical and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy are critical. Good coordination and communication skills, especially when liaising with production teams, are important. The ability to analyze large volumes of data and effectively identify cost variances is expected.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
Experience with cost control procedures and audit documentation is advantageous. The position offers a competitive monthly salary ranging from Rs70,000 to Rs80,000. The role requires in-person attendance at the work location.

This position presents an excellent opportunity for candidates who are proactive and possess strong accounting expertise to contribute meaningfully to cost management and operational efficiency within a dynamic manufacturing environment.