The Business
Our client is a well-established multinational manufacturer with a significant Australian operation.
Accuracy and accountability matter here, and the finance team is trusted to give the business numbers it can rely on.
It's a stable, structured environment where experienced, detail-minded accountants can deepen their technical expertise and be heard.
The Business
Our client is a well-established multinational manufacturer with a significant Australian operation.
Accuracy and accountability matter here, and the finance team is trusted to give the business numbers it can rely on.
It's a stable, structured environment where experienced, detail-minded accountants can deepen their technical expertise and be heard.
The Role
Reporting to the Finance Manager, this is a technical, hands-on cost accounting role at the centre of the manufacturing process.
You'll be the person who knows what products really cost, why those costs move and what that means for the business.
You'll work closely with Operations and Supply Chain, turning production data into clear insights that help people take action.
It's a role for an experienced cost accountant who enjoys getting into the detail, following a cost back to its source and keeping the numbers right.
What You'll Be Doing
Product costing
Calculating product costs for internal and external customers, including new products, varying batch sizes and process changes
Maintaining finished product and component costs in the ERP, and ensuring new items are set up and costs roll correctly
Reviewing and maintaining costing bill of materials data against production data
Contributing to cost reduction initiatives
Standards and planning
Leading the annual standard costing and plan process, and setting standards for new products as they arise




Working with Procurement to establish standards and material requirements
Explaining the drivers behind significant cost movements year on year
Rolling costs at year end and updating labour rates for the new year
Variance analysis and reporting
Analysing and reporting on material usage and purchase price variances, month and year to date
Providing forecasts for production variances and supporting the monthly planning cycle
Reporting on direct labour, overhead recovery and work in progress, with plan versus actual output
Checking work orders to confirm components and labour are booked correctly, and working with Production and Planning to resolve discrepancies
Giving senior management and production teams timely variance information they can act on
Month‐end and ad hoc
Supporting the month‐end close, including inventory reserve
Performing ad hoc costing analysis as the business needs it
What You'll Bring
A Bachelor's degree in Accounting
5+ years' experience in cost accounting, ideally within a manufacturing environment
A solid grounding in financial and management accounting, with exposure to inventory management and procurement
Hands‐on experience with an ERP system (SAP preferred)
Advanced Excel, strong financial modelling skills and knowledge of ABC costing methodology
CPA or ICMA qualified, or working towards it, is preferred
Strong analytical and problem‐solving skills, and the discipline to meet deadlines
A practical, cooperative style, with the confidence to work with people at all levels of the business
A mindset of continuous improvement and a willingness to adapt as priorities change
If you're an experienced cost accountant who wants to own costing end to end in a manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.
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📌 Cost Accountant (Melbourne)
🏢 Sharp & Carter
📍 Melbourne