Job Description

The Senior Cost Accountant will be a key strategic player to the team, responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the company's cost control systems. This role is crucial for maximizing profitability by providing in-depth financial analysis of all operational food cost.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Cost Analysis & Reporting

Menu & Recipe Costing:

Establish and maintain

accurate standard costs

for all menu items and recipes (

theoretical food cost

). Conduct regular

recipe costing

exercises to reflect current vendor pricing and portion sizes.

Variance Analysis:

Lead the monthly calculation and in-depth analysis of

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

and

actual vs. theoretical food cost variances (AvT)

, providing detailed reports on the root causes of discrepancies (e.g., waste, over-portioning, theft, or price changes).

Profitability Insight:

Analyze

gross margins

by menu item, restaurant unit, and product category to identify low-profit areas and provide actionable recommendations for

menu engineering

and pricing strategies.

Inventory Valuation:

Oversee the integrity of

inventory valuation

and related balance sheet accounts, including applying processing/overhead costs and calculating necessary reserves.

2. Operational Cost Control & Systems

Inventory Management:

Design, implement, and audit physical

inventory count

procedures (e.g., weekly/monthly cycle counts), ensuring compliance across all units and reconciling book inventory to the general ledger.

Purchasing & Vendor Control:

Work closely with the Purchasing department to monitor and audit

vendor contract pricing

, ensuring the system reflects negotiated rates and flagging any non-compliant purchases or invoices.

Process Improvement:

Identify and champion opportunities for

cost savings

and operational efficiency through system enhancements, waste reduction initiatives, and better utilization of kitchen resources.

3. Financial Planning & Compliance

Month-End Close:

Execute month-end cost accounting close activities, including preparing complex

journal entries

, balance sheet reconciliations, and comprehensive financial reports related to COGS and cost variances.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

Assist in the preparation of the annual

budget

and periodic

cost forecasts

for operational expenses, COGS, and capital expenditures (CapEx).

Internal Controls:

Develop, document, and enforce

strong internal controls

and policies related to purchasing, receiving, inventory, and cost recognition to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with

IFRS/GAAP

.

Audit Support:

Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors regarding COGS, inventory, and cost-related schedules and inquiries.
Required Qualifications & Skills

Experience:

Minimum

6-8 years

of progressive experience in Cost Accounting, with at least 3 years in the

multi-unit restaurant or F&B manufacturing/catering industry

is mandatory.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

Certifications:

Professional certification such as

CMA, CPA, or ACCA

is highly preferred.

Technical Proficiency:

Expert-level proficiency in

Microsoft Excel

(pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, financial modeling). Strong working knowledge of major

ERP/Accounting Software

(e.g., SAP, Oracle, or industry-specific systems like Restaurant365). Experience with

inventory management systems

(IMS) and

POS integration

.

Soft Skills:

Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills

with a strong focus on driving continuous operational improvement. Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain meticulous attention to detail. Excellent communication and presentation skills to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for non-finance operational management. Experience working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment like the UAE market.
Job Type: Full-time

Experience:

Senior Cost Accountant : 8 years (Required)
Language:

* English (Required)