Senior Cost Accountant

Anduril Anduril · Defense · Sydney, Australia · Finance & Accounting : Accounting : Accounting

Senior Cost Accountant role at Anduril, a defense technology company, focusing on cost accounting for product development, manufacturing, and production operations. Responsibilities include standard costing, variance analysis, month-end close, asset accounting, inventory valuation, and supporting contract pricing and IPO readiness initiatives. Requires 5+ years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing, proficiency with ERP systems, and Australian citizenship for security clearance.

What you'd actually do

  1. Execute standard costing, manufacturing variance analysis, and month-end close processes including exception resolution, cost roll-ups, absorption reporting, and inventory/WIP reconciliations for designated product lines.
  2. Manage asset capitalisation, depreciation, and accounting treatment for hardware across the product lifecycle (COGS, maintenance, returns, sustainment).
  3. Administer physical and cycle count programmes; ensure accurate inventory valuation and partner with external auditors on cost accounting matters.
  4. Partner with Production Management, Supply Chain, Operations, and Engineering to analyse manufacturing performance, cost drivers, and efficiency opportunities.
  5. Support Australian Defence contract pricing, cost proposals, and government procurement audit requirements.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
  • 5+ years of progressive cost accounting experience in manufacturing environments
  • Proven experience with standard costing in complex, low-volume, high-dollar manufacturing environments
  • Strong knowledge of IFRS/IAS standards, particularly IAS 2 (Inventories), IAS 16 (Property, Plant & Equipment), and IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers)
  • Demonstrated experience with Program Management and Production Cost Controls
  • Demostrated experience with supporting external Audit
  • Advanced proficiency with Oracle Fusion or similar ERP systems (SAP, NetSuite) and data analysis tools
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across functions and influence senior leadership
  • Exceptional analytical, organisational, and leadership skills
  • Australian citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 security clearance

Nice to have

  • CA, CPA, or equivalent professional qualification
  • Experience in a privately held company or scale-up preparing for an IPO
  • Experience with Defence, Aerospace, or advanced technology manufacturing
  • Familiarity with U.S. government contracting cost principles (FAR/DFAR/CAS)
  • Understanding of Australian Defence industry procurement requirements and government contracting cost principles (ASDEFCON, AIC)

What the JD emphasized

  • IPO readiness
  • SOX compliance