Senior Accountant (15-Month Contract)

Position Summary 

The Financial Accountant is an internal accounting role responsible for delivering accurate and timely financial reporting, maintaining balance sheet integrity, and supporting month‑end processes across Focus Partners Australia and related entities.

The role supports the broader Focus network by providing reliable financial information, strong collaboration across teams, and a responsive internal service mindset. While the role does not involve direct external client engagement, all team members across the Focus network are considered key internal stakeholders.

This role can be located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Primary Responsibilities

Financial & Management Accounting

• Prepare and manage month-end close processes, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to reporting deadlines.
• Prepare journals, accruals, prepayments, and other month-end adjustments.
• Perform balance sheet reconciliations and investigate and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Support management and statutory reporting through accurate data preparation, analysis, and commentary as required.
• Prepare consolidated financial reports.
• Perform and review bank reconciliations.
• Prepare and lodge BAS, IAS, and FBT returns, and liaise with external tax advisers as required.
• Oversee and support external audit processes, ensuring all audit requirements are met within agreed timeframes.

FP&A, Budgeting & Performance

• Lead inputs into the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts, partnering with business units and Focus Corporate to support robust financial planning.
• Develop and maintain driver-based models, including scenario and sensitivity analysis.
• Monitor financial performance against budget and forecast, providing clear variance analysis and insights to leadership and the Group Head of Finance.
• Deliver monthly performance cadence, including consolidated management packs, KPIs, analysis, and actionable recommendations.

Accounts & Debtors Management

• Oversee and manage debtor balances, including proactive follow-up and resolution of outstanding items.
• Support effective cashflow management through accurate reporting and reconciliation.
• Ensure compliance with RG 166 requirements.

Systems & Entity Accounting

• Support, maintain, and improve accounting systems and processes, including Xero.
• Take end-to-end accounting responsibility for assigned entities within the group.

Quality, Controls & Documentation

• Maintain clear, organised, and audit-ready working papers that appropriately support balances and transactions.
• Ensure accounting records are accurate, complete, and compliant with internal controls and standards.
• Proactively identify errors, inefficiencies, or risks, escalating issues early with practical recommendations for resolution.

Team Contribution & Internal Stakeholder Support

• Work collaboratively with finance team members and stakeholders across the Focus network.
• Provide timely, practical, and solution-focused support to internal stakeholders.
• Contribute positively to team culture through clear communication, adaptability, and shared accountability.
• Support onboarding of new team members and entity transitions to ensure continuity and smooth handovers.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related discipline.
• 3+ years relevant experience in financial accounting, internal accounting or group accounting environments.
• Experience using Xero (highly desirable).
• CPA or CA qualification (or working towards)
• Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience using Fathom and Great Plains (preferred but not essential).

Skills and Attributes

• Strong organisation and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to manage increased workloads and changing priorities.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative working style.
• Positive attitude with a focus on team goals and continuous improvement.
• Strong internal service mindset, recognising colleagues across the Focus network as key stakeholders.

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