Cost Accountant

Aon plc; Gympie Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

24/7 EAP

Career growth opportunities

Employee events

Job summary

Hewitt is seeking a Cost Accountant based in Gympie, Sunshine Coast Region, to work across finance, operations, manufacturing and livestock. You will monitor costs, support budgeting and forecasting, and help business leaders make informed decisions in a hands-on, office-based role within a fast-paced agricultural environment.

You will develop financial models, analyse cost drivers, and provide actionable insights to strengthen profitability and operational performance across the value chain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Analytics or related discipline.
• CPA or CA qualifications desirable.
• Experience in cost accounting and financial/commercial analysis in food processing or manufacturing.
• Strong financial modelling, analytical, problem-solving and decision-support skills.
• Advanced Excel; BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau; SQL knowledge is advantageous.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills; fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyse financial performance, profitability and cost drivers across products, customers, business units and operational activities.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, financial models, scenario analysis and management reporting for business leaders and stakeholders.
• Identify cost variances, inefficiencies and opportunities to improve margins across livestock procurement, manufacturing, processing and logistics.
• Support month-end, quarter-end and year-end reporting, including reconciliations, data extraction and resolution of system issues.
• Develop business cases and investment appraisals using ROI, NPV, IRR, payback and sensitivity analysis.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial analysis

Commercial analysis

Financial modelling

Analytical

Stakeholder management

Communication

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Analytics or related

CPA or CA qualifications desirable

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

Job description

Cost Accountant | Gympie - Sunshine Coast Region

About the Role

We are seeking a commercially focused Cost Accountant to join the team based at Nolan Meats, Gympie. Working across Finance, Operations, Manufacturing and Livestock, you will provide the analysis and insights needed to strengthen profitability and operational performance. You will monitor costs throughout the value chain, support budgeting and forecasting, and help business leaders make informed decisions. This is a hands-on, office-based role within a fast-paced operational environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse financial performance, profitability and cost drivers across products, customers, business units and operational activities.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, financial models, scenario analysis and management reporting for business leaders and stakeholders.
• Identify cost variances, inefficiencies and opportunities to improve margins across livestock procurement, manufacturing, processing and logistics.
• Support month-end, quarter-end and year-end reporting, including reconciliations, data extraction and resolution of system issues.
• Develop business cases and investment appraisals using ROI, NPV, IRR, payback and sensitivity analysis.

About You

You are an analytical and commercially minded finance professional who can translate complex financial and operational data into clear recommendations. You bring strong financial modelling skills, attention to detail and a practical understanding of business performance. Comfortable working with stakeholders across operational and corporate functions, you can challenge assumptions constructively and communicate insights clearly. Experience in food processing, agribusiness, FMCG, manufacturing, meat or protein production will be highly regarded.

You Will Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Analytics or a related discipline, with CPA or CA qualifications desirable.
• Experience in cost accounting, financial analysis, commercial analysis or business analysis, ideally within food processing, agribusiness, FMCG or manufacturing.
• Strong financial modelling, analytical, problem-solving and commercial decision-support capabilities.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau; SQL knowledge is advantageous.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with a process-improvement mindset and the ability to succeed in a fast-paced operational environment.

Life at Hewitt

With 120 years of family ownership, Hewitt is an iconic Australian agricultural business with a deep commitment to land, livestock and community. Over the past decade, Hewitt has evolved from its livestock production origins into a global, sustainable protein producer, with premium organic and grass-fed brands stocked by leading retailers across Australia, the United States and Asia.

Guided by a vision to feed the world with a system that lasts forever, Hewitt delivers ethical, nutritious protein at global scale. Our fully integrated supply chain - spanning owned cattle stations, trusted producer partners, processing and retail - provides unmatched transparency, quality and resilience, setting Hewitt apart within the global food system.

Hewitt is a hands-on, collaborative business where being present matters. Whether in the office, on station, or in production, you’re contributing to something real: real food, real impact, real teamwork.

Join Hewitt for the Opportunity of a Lifetime

• Values-Driven Organisation – Join a company with a 120-year family heritage, a clear purpose, and a long-term focus on sustainability, animal welfare, and quality.
• Competitive Remuneration Package – We recognise and reward your contributions with a fair and transparent pay structure.
• Opportunities to grow and develop– Learn on the job, gain new skills, and progress across office, production, and farm/station roles.
• Support When You Need It – Access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional wellbeing.
• The Hewitt Experience – Shared Connections & Celebration – Our teams come together to celebrate wins and build connections. Enjoy monthly BBQs cooked with our finest meats, make-your-own wrap or sandwich, morning teas, staff sales, and Employee of the Month recognition. Whether you’re in the office, on production & warehouse sites, or working at our cattle and sheep stations, there’s always an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and enjoy being part of a tight-knit team.

Applications Close on 6 November 2026

Hewitt is committed to equal opportunity employment and to fostering a workplace that values equity, diversity, and respect. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

By applying, you acknowledge that proof of eligibility to work in Australia will be required.