Job description

Job Purpose   

This position is responsible for overseeing cost accounting and expense control related to sales operations and corporate functions. It covers monitoring and analyzing costs linked to sales distribution, logistics, marketing initiatives, and administrative overheads, ensuring proper allocation and compliance with accounting standards.

The role supports budgeting and forecasting for sales and overhead costs, validates financial models connected to sales targets and administrative budgets, and provides insights into cost variances, profitability, and operational efficiency. By delivering accurate and timely cost analysis, the Cost Accountant – Sales & Admin enables management to strengthen sales performance and optimize administrative resources.

Main Tasks & Accountabilities

Costing & MIS

• Prepare, maintain, and analyze cost allocations for sales, logistics, and marketing overheads.
• Develop and update standard rates for distribution activities (transport, warehousing, delivery, etc.).
• Maintain MIS reports on distribution costs, sales overheads, and marketing expenses.

Inventory & Distribution Control

• Oversee inventory processes related to finished goods, depot stocks, and sales materials.
• Reconcile distribution inventory with GL and sales reports.
• Analyze logistics and distribution cost per unit delivered.

Analysis & Variance Reporting

• Monitor monthly results against budgets and prior year performance.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities in distribution and marketing spend.
• Support management in pricing, discount, and promotional scheme analysis.

Scheduled activities

• Support monthly closing of accounts for sales and overheads.
• Assist with statutory, internal, and tax audits.
• Participate in capital expenditure analysis (new depots, fleet, marketing assets).

Projects

• Track projects related to distribution efficiency, marketing spend, and overhead cost reduction.
• Prepare sales and admin-focused financial analyses to support management decisions (e.g., pricing, promotions, logistics contracts).

Compliance

• Ensure that prescribed accounting standards and established rules and regulations are followed while estimating standard costs for products and inventory value
• Validate integrity of financial modeling utilized
• Comply with IFRS requirements
• Comply with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings
• Coordinate for providing information to external auditors for the annual audit

Team Building – Planning, acquisition and mentoring

• Forecast staff requirements for the department, plan budget and get requisite approval
• Define knowledge/skillsets required
• Effective communication within and outside the team
• Create a supportive environment for the team members
• Contribute to the team, letting others know information that may be useful or important
• Help to create a fun, supportive work environment

People management and reporting responsibilities

• Participate in management and supervisory meetings as and when required to provide financial overview
• Ensure accurate and up to date, daily, weekly, monthly records as required by the management.
• Ensure tasks are understood by the team members, and performed responsibly and diligently
• Help others in the team if needed; Support relief staff in their duties

Main Contacts and Working Relationships

• Internal     All Department Heads and Line Managers.
• External    Stakeholders, customers, agencies etc.

Person Specification  (Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience)  

Education Level –    Minimum Requirement  

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required

Professional    Qualifications

• ICWA / CIMA / CA / Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or equivalent qualification
• have a valid driver’s license

Work Experience    

• Minimum 6 years of progressive cost accounting and analysis experience with a manufacturing organization preferably in the dairy sector; strong emphasis put on knowledge of management accounting, cost and inventory accounting
• Experience in Dairy and/or Food manufacturing environment a plus
• Strong understanding of the Middle East markets

Job Specific Skills    

• Ability to see the big picture while focusing on the process and procedures necessary to produce deliverables
• Ability to establish and meet deadlines
• Through knowledge of IFRS, GAAP, accounting standards and established rules and regulations
• Knowledge of the financial systems and procedures required in a FMCG/manufacturing company
• Expert knowledge of accounting packages like SAP, Oracle or equivalent
• Working knowledge of MAPICS or similar ERP system and HFM Consolidation
• Proficient on Microsoft packages with advanced spreadsheet skills (report formatting with automation/macros, data mining, functions)
• Experience of planning, budgeting and forecasting
• Strong analytical skills enabling quick grasping of critical issues impacting plant's financial results.
• Familiarity with month end close processes
• Keen focus on continuous improvement; identification and elimination of non-value-added activities (NVAs).
• Ability to manage projects, work independently yet display good team-player skills
• Financial acumen to understand and interpret numbers
• Excellent written & verbal communication / presentation skills
• Team player with excellent motivational skills

Generic Skills

• Flexibility and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Possess superior decision making and problem-solving skills
• Must be alert, strive for accuracy, and have ability to exercise independent thinking and judgment, be a self- motivator, and attention to detail
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Integrity, discretion and loyalty

Position Location  

To be based in Muscat Office and travelling to all depots in Oman