Cost Accountant

Birdon is passionate about innovation, in-house engineering and problem solving. We don't shy away from a challenge; we thrive on it. A proudly Australian manufacturer and industry partner, we provide whole of life solutions to multinational defence, government, maritime, energy and resource sectors.

As we continue to grow, so too does our team. We are looking for the right candidate to take on the role of Cost Accountant. This is a Full Time role, based in our Port Macquarie office.

Position Overview

As a pivotal member of our Finance Team, the Cost Accountant will be instrumental in assisting with accounting and commercial analysis across multiple projects. A significant part of the role depends on consistent and clear communication between projects, commercial and finance teams to establish agreed outcomes such as cost centres, budgets, regular cost reviews, project analysis and adjustments, and investigation into cost variances, all of which are prerequisites for accurate reporting and forecasting.

Key Accountabilities

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with project managers, finance teams, supply chain, and operational leaders.
• Provide financial guidance to non-finance stakeholders, translating complex information into clear, practical insights.
• Support commercial teams with cost information for customer reporting, bids, tenders, and contract negotiations.

Project Cost Management & Analysis

• Maintain accurate project cost records (within work break down structures), including labour, materials, subcontractors, overhead allocations, and capitalised costs.
• Monitor and analyse project expenditure, invoices, and supplier claims working closely with schedulers and project team members. This includes overseeing cost code and resource booking processes to support accurate cost capture and preparation of customer invoices.
• Assist project teams to maximise commercial outcomes and performance including advice on escalations, extensions, variations, and payments.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting

• Prepare actuals against budgets and forecasts, identifying variances and assumptions to support cost to complete assessments, via clear, actionable commentary.
• Prepare monthly project financial reports, dashboards, earned value management and variance analyses for internal stakeholders.
• Consolidate project financials into broader business reporting, ensuring alignment with accounting standards and internal policies.

Capitalisation & Compliance

• Assess project activities to determine appropriate accounting treatment (e.g., OPEX vs CAPEX) in line with internal controls & relevant external standards.
• Ensure project costs are recorded, classified, and capitalised accurately and consistently.
• Where necessary assist the finance team to prepare financial information for external auditors, regulators, and commercial partners.

Process Improvement & Systems

• Contribute to the enhancement of project costing models, reporting tools, and financial processes.
• Support system implementations or upgrades related to project accounting, time tracking, or ERP modules.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve data accuracy and transparency.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Essential.

• Professional, highly motivated, and capable of strong and consistent communication and collaboration across functional groups.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience in a similar environment.
• Technical knowledge of project cost systems, reporting, and forecasting.
• Prior experience in a similar project cost control or financially focused role is highly regarded.
• Ability to prepare project cost reports and cash flow forecasts, along with other management reports.
• Excellent time management skills, initiative, clear communication, and the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Able to work well under pressure with strong attention to detail and a procedural mindset.

Desirable.

• Degree-qualified professional .
• Experience in the infrastructure and/or construction industry is highly desirable.
• Microsoft 365 Business Central and Power BI.
• Experience in the infrastructure and/or construction industry is highly desirable.
• Prior experience with budget management, requisitions, orders, and invoicing.

We deliver value for our customers through our innovative people, organisational agility, and operational excellence. As an equal opportunity employer, all positions are open to any person that may have the required characteristics and experiences. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

For more information about Birdon, visit Home - Birdon