Financial Accountant

Lawson Elliott Recruitment; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawson Elliott Recruitment represents an established Australian manufacturing business seeking a Senior Financial Accountant to strengthen cost, inventory and margin reporting within a hands-on finance function.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will maintain standard costs and BOMs, analyse variances, manage stock valuations, support budgeting and month-end close, and partner with operations to drive cost visibility.

Qualifications

• 3–4 years of experience in a similar role, ideally in manufacturing or product-based environment.
• Strong cost accounting and inventory fundamentals.
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to partner with operations beyond the numbers.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining and reviewing standard costs, bills of materials and product costings.
• Analyse manufacturing variances across purchase price, usage and labour.
• Oversee inventory valuation, stock reconciliations and cycle count reviews.
• Report on gross margin and profitability by product line.
• Complete month-end close, including journals, accruals and reconciliations.
• Partner with operations and production to track and explain cost drivers.
• Maintain the fixed asset register across plant and equipment.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and ad hoc commercial analysis.

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory management

Advanced Excel

Cross-functional partnering

Education

Tertiary degree in accounting or finance

CA or CPA qualification (or near completion)

Job description

This established Australian manufacturing business has earned a strong name for quality and reliability, with a loyal customer base and a finance team that works closely with operations. It offers clear career progression and genuinely invests in the wellbeing of its people.

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a Senior Financial Accountant to bring rigour to cost, inventory and margin reporting within a hands-on finance function. Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will be responsible for:

Maintaining and reviewing standard costs, bills of materials and product costings

Analyse manufacturing variances across purchase price, usage and labour

Oversee inventory valuation, stock reconciliations and cycle count reviews

Report on gross margin and profitability by product line

Complete month-end close, including journals, accruals and reconciliations

Partner with operations and production to track and explain cost drivers

Maintain the fixed asset register across plant and equipment

Support budgeting, forecasting and ad hoc commercial analysis

To be considered for this role you will have 3–4 years' experience in a similar role, ideally within manufacturing or another product-based environment, along with a relevant tertiary degree in accounting or finance. You will be CA or CPA qualified, or near completion, with strong cost accounting and inventory fundamentals, advanced Excel skills, and the confidence to partner with operations beyond the numbers.