What’s on OfferBased in our Henderson Headquarters - SOR location I Free ParkingOptional 9-day fortnight I Career growth opportunities.ASX-Listed company I Global shipbuilderSalary Sacrificing, Novated Leasing, Retailer discount, EAP, Insurance discounts. The OpportunityAustal Ships is seeking a detail-oriented and strategically minded Cost Controller to join our dynamic Programs team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for managing and enhancing cost control processes across designated shipbuilding and maritime projects. You will play a key role in ensuring projects are delivered within budget by tracking, analysing, and forecasting costs, while providing critical financial insights that support informed decision-making.Working in a collaborative environment, you will engage closely with Project Managers, Control Account Managers (CAMs), Supply Chain, Finance, Production, and Engineering teams. Your expertise will help drive adherence to Austal’s Cost Control Framework and Earned Value Management (EVM) practices, ensuring robust financial governance and performance tracking.This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced, project-driven environment and is passionate about contributing to the success of complex, high-value programs. If you are proactive, analytical, and ready to make a tangible impact, we invite you to bring your skills to Austal Ships and help shape the future of maritime innovation. What’s InvolvedDevelop and maintain cost budgets and the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) to support effective project delivery.Monitor and analyse cost performance, identifying trends, variances, and key cost drivers.Prepare accurate cost forecasts, track expenditures, and support reporting of actuals against budget and forecast.Provide financial insights and recommendations to mitigate risks, enhance cost control, and support informed decision-making.Collaborate with Project Managers, Finance, and other stakeholders to align budgets with program objectives and ensure integrated financial management.Ensure data accuracy and consistency across systems for effective performance monitoring and KPI tracking.Contribute to timely and accurate cost reporting in line with Earned Value Management (EVM) and internal standards.Document and assess variances in cost, scope, schedule, and resources to support impact assessments.Promote continuous improvement in cost control processes, reporting efficiency, and financial governance.Ensure compliance with internal policies, contract terms, and applicable financial regulations.Serve as the key point of contact for cost control matters on assigned projects.Stay up to date with industry best practices in project finance and cost management.You’ll needEssentialBachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or related field2-5 years experience in cost control, project controls, or financial analysis role within a project or program delivery environmentSound knowledge of cost management principles, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysisExperience applying cost control processes and procedures, preferably in an Earned Value Management System environmentProficient in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting toolsDesirableExperience in shipbuilding, manufacturing, construction or defence sectorExposure to Defence project environments or Commonwealth of Australia reporting frameworksExperience using enterprise financial or project management systems (e.g. IFS, SAP or similar)Familiar with Power BI or other data visualisation reporting toolsWorking toward or holding a relevant certification (e.g. CPA, CMA, AACR, or project controls accreditation) is an advantage Why AustalCompetitive compensation and benefits package.Professional development and training opportunities.A supportive and dynamic work environment.Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation. Our global team is guided by a universal set of values that describe the focus of our efforts. Our goal is for all our decisions and actions to reflect these core values. We believe that putting our values into practice creates the greatest benefits for our shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities in which we serve.Excellence - Customer Focus - Integrity - Team WorkAt Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.  AUD Henderson 6166

Cost Controller

What’s on Offer

  • Based in our Henderson Headquarters - SOR location I Free Parking
  • Optional 9-day fortnight I Career growth opportunities.
  • ASX-Listed company I Global shipbuilder
  • Salary Sacrificing, Novated Leasing, Retailer discount, EAP, Insurance discounts.

 

The Opportunity

Austal Ships is seeking a detail-oriented and strategically minded Cost Controller to join our dynamic Programs team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for managing and enhancing cost control processes across designated shipbuilding and maritime projects. You will play a key role in ensuring projects are delivered within budget by tracking, analysing, and forecasting costs, while providing critical financial insights that support informed decision-making.

Working in a collaborative environment, you will engage closely with Project Managers, Control Account Managers (CAMs), Supply Chain, Finance, Production, and Engineering teams. Your expertise will help drive adherence to Austal’s Cost Control Framework and Earned Value Management (EVM) practices, ensuring robust financial governance and performance tracking.

This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced, project-driven environment and is passionate about contributing to the success of complex, high-value programs. If you are proactive, analytical, and ready to make a tangible impact, we invite you to bring your skills to Austal Ships and help shape the future of maritime innovation.

 

What’s Involved

  • Develop and maintain cost budgets and the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) to support effective project delivery.
  • Monitor and analyse cost performance, identifying trends, variances, and key cost drivers.
  • Prepare accurate cost forecasts, track expenditures, and support reporting of actuals against budget and forecast.
  • Provide financial insights and recommendations to mitigate risks, enhance cost control, and support informed decision-making.
  • Collaborate with Project Managers, Finance, and other stakeholders to align budgets with program objectives and ensure integrated financial management.
  • Ensure data accuracy and consistency across systems for effective performance monitoring and KPI tracking.
  • Contribute to timely and accurate cost reporting in line with Earned Value Management (EVM) and internal standards.
  • Document and assess variances in cost, scope, schedule, and resources to support impact assessments.
  • Promote continuous improvement in cost control processes, reporting efficiency, and financial governance.
  • Ensure compliance with internal policies, contract terms, and applicable financial regulations.
  • Serve as the key point of contact for cost control matters on assigned projects.
  • Stay up to date with industry best practices in project finance and cost management.

You’ll need

Essential

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or related field
  • 2-5 years experience in cost control, project controls, or financial analysis role within a project or program delivery environment
  • Sound knowledge of cost management principles, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
  • Experience applying cost control processes and procedures, preferably in an Earned Value Management System environment
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools

Desirable

  • Experience in shipbuilding, manufacturing, construction or defence sector
  • Exposure to Defence project environments or Commonwealth of Australia reporting frameworks
  • Experience using enterprise financial or project management systems (e.g. IFS, SAP or similar)
  • Familiar with Power BI or other data visualisation reporting tools
  • Working toward or holding a relevant certification (e.g. CPA, CMA, AACR, or project controls accreditation) is an advantage

Why Austal

  • Competitive compensation and benefits package.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
  • A supportive and dynamic work environment.
  • Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

 

Our global team is guided by a universal set of values that describe the focus of our efforts. Our goal is for all our decisions and actions to reflect these core values. We believe that putting our values into practice creates the greatest benefits for our shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities in which we serve.

Excellence - Customer Focus - Integrity - Team Work

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.

 

  • Posted Date 10 Jun 2025
  • Location Henderson
    WA / Australia
  • Industry Accounting
  • Job Type Full Time
  • Salary Not provided