Cost Accountant

Job Title: Cost Controller

Company: Carter & White

Location: Dubai, UAEReporting to: Finance ManagerThe Cost Controller will oversee cost analysis and controls across Carter & White’s retail, production, inventory, and regional operations.

The role will ensure accurate product costing, monitor margins, identify cost variances, and provide practical recommendations to improve profitability.Key Responsibilities1. Product and Production CostingPrepare and maintain cost sheets for garments, accessories, home collections, and other product categories.Calculate material, labour, packaging, production overhead, freight, customs, and other landed costs.Validate bills of materials and standard consumption rates with the production and merchandising teams.Compare standard costs against actual costs and investigate variances.Monitor material wastage, production losses, rework, and subcontracting charges.Ensure product costs are accurately recorded in the ERP system.2. Inventory ControlReconcile inventory movements across warehouses, stores, production facilities, and external partners.Review stock adjustments, transfers, returns, damages, and write-offs.Coordinate physical stock counts and investigate discrepancies with the relevant teams.Monitor ageing, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory, recommending appropriate actions.Review raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods valuations with Finance.Verify the cost impact of inventory provisions and clearance activities.3. Gross Margin and Sales AnalysisAnalyse gross margins by SKU, style, collection, category, store, market, and sales channel.Monitor the impact of discounts, promotions, returns, and markdowns on profitability.Identify products or locations performing below target margin and investigate the causes.Support pricing decisions with accurate cost and margin calculations.Assess collection performance against buying budgets, quantities, sell-through, and remaining inventory.4. Purchasing and Operating Cost ControlReview purchase orders and supplier invoices for pricing accuracy and alignment with approved budgets.Analyse supplier price changes and support Procurement in identifying savings opportunities.Monitor freight, logistics, packaging, warehousing, and other controllable operating costs.Review store and departmental expenses against budget and flag significant variances.Track savings initiatives and verify their financial impact.5. Budgeting and ReportingSupport annual budgets and forecasts for production, purchasing, inventory, and operating expenses.Prepare monthly cost-of-sales and margin reconciliations with Finance.Deliver clear variance reports explaining the reasons for changes and recommended corrective actions.Support store, collection, and product profitability analysis.Provide timely information for management reviews and buying decisions.6. Internal Controls and ComplianceMaintain documented costing procedures and consistent cost allocation methods.Monitor compliance with purchasing, inventory, and expense approval policies.Identify control weaknesses and follow up on corrective actions.Maintain supporting documentation and audit trails for cost calculations and adjustments.Support internal and external audits relating to inventory, production costs, and cost of sales.Required Reports and DeliverablesFrequencyDeliverablesWeeklyCost exceptions, stock discrepancies, wastage analysis, and progress on corrective actionsMonthlyGross margin analysis, standard-versus-actual cost variances, inventory ageing, operating expense variances, and cost-saving resultsPer collection/dropApproved product cost sheets, landed cost review, and planned-versus-actual margin analysisDuring budgetingCost assumptions, buying and production budget analysis, and profitability forecastsQualifications and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Cost Accounting, or a related field.CMA, ACCA, CIMA, or an equivalent qualification is preferred.Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in cost control, inventory accounting, or product costing.Transfer PricingExperience in fashion retail, apparel manufacturing, or a business combining retail and production is strongly preferred.Strong knowledge of standard costing, landed costs, inventory valuation, and gross margin analysis.Advanced Excel skills and practical experience with ERP and inventory management systems.Experience supporting multiple stores, entities, or markets is an advantage.Key CompetenciesStrong analytical skills and attention to detail.Ability to investigate discrepancies and explain their commercial impact.Confidence in challenging inaccurate data or unsupported assumptions.Effective coordination with Finance, Production, Merchandising, Procurement, Logistics, and Retail Operations.Clear reporting, accountability, and consistent follow-through.