AU Accountant (001-1454)

• Manage the end-to-end accounting function for a portfolio of clients using Xero.
• Oversee and perform daily transaction coding, bank reconciliations, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Manage prepayments, accruals, depreciation schedules, and journal entries.
• Maintain clean charts of accounts tailored to each client’s operational and reporting needs.
• Handle intercompany transactions, loan account reconciliations, and multi-entity eliminations where applicable.
• Oversee Accounts Payable (bill processing, approval workflows, payment batch runs) and Accounts Receivable (invoicing, debtor monitoring, collections support).

• Lead rigorous month-end close processes to ensure client numbers are finalised within agreed turnaround times.
•  Prepare comprehensive monthly management packs, including:

• Profit & Loss statement
• Balance Sheet
• Statement of Cash Flows
• Budget vs. Actual variance analysis
• Key operational KPIs (gross margins, customer/job profitability)

• Write clear, plain-English commentary highlighting performance drivers, cost spikes, and margin risks.

• Build, update, and maintain rolling 12-month three-way cash flow forecasts.
• Monitor working capital, identifying upcoming cash pinches and surplus funds well in advance.
• Support Fintops Fractional CFOs with scenario modelling (e.g., hiring impact, pricing adjustments, capital investments).
• Present recommendations, explaining the "story behind the numbers" rather than just PDF reports.

• Process end-to-end client payrolls in Xero Payroll, ensuring strict compliance with Australian Modern Awards, Fair Work standards, and leave accruals.
• Manage Single Touch Payroll (STP Phase 2) reporting and annual finalisations.
• Reconcile and submit superannuation guarantee payments Prepare and reconcile BAS/IAS working papers (GST, PAYG-W, PAYG-I) ready for BAS agent/tax agent review and lodgement.
• Prepare tidy year-end workpaper files to facilitate seamless handover to external registered tax agents.

• Actively explore and implement modern tools, app integrations (e.g., Dext, Hubdoc, ApprovalMax, and other Xero add-ons), and automation to eliminate manual data entry.
• Utilise modern AI tools to streamline financial analysis, drafting commentary, and workflow efficiency.
• Continuously refine internal operating procedures, standard checklists, and reporting templates for client onboarding and ongoing delivery.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline.
• Ideally professionally qualified or working towards a recognised accounting qualification.
• 3–5+ years' accounting experience.
• Strong experience with Xero.
• Experience supporting Australian businesses.
• Strong understanding of Australian accounting practices.
• Experience with BAS, GST and Australian tax processes.
• Strong month-end reporting experience.
• Experience preparing Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet reports.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Experience with cash flow forecasting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal English.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

• Experience working across diverse SME sectors (e.g., professional services, e-commerce, trades & construction, SaaS, health).
• Exposure to project accounting, job costing, or inventory management.
• Experience with third-party reporting & forecasting tools (e.g., Fathom, Spotlight Reporting, Calxa).
• Practical experience applying generative AI tools to improve accounting workflows and documentation.

• Commercially Minded: You look beyond the debits and credits to understand how a decision affects gross margin, cash runway, and long-term business value.
• Inquisitive & Detail-Driven: You question numbers that look out of place, investigate anomalies, and never settle for "plug" balancing entries.
• Autonomous & Proactive: You thrive in an environment where you are given ownership of client deliverables and proactively communicate before deadlines hit.
• Clear Communicator: You translate complex accounting concepts into jargon-free, actionable insights that busy business owners appreciate.
• Continuous Improver: You naturally spot friction in a workflow and seek ways to automate, standardise, or simplify it.

This is a remote role that will be set up as an independent contractor engagement.

To ensure alignment and transparency, successful candidates will be expected to:

• Be available for meetings and collaboration during core [AEST or PHT] business hours
• Disclose any existing ongoing roles or client work
• Reflect this engagement on their LinkedIn profile (clearly marked as “Independent Contractor”)