Financial Accountant

Community Enterprise Queensland; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks annual leave

17.5% leave loading

Salary sacrifice up to $15,900 p.a.

Employee assistance program

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) seeks an experienced Financial Accountant to join the Corporate Services team. This senior role focuses on technical accounting, team leadership, and business partnering across a geographically dispersed organisation in remote Aboriginal communities.

The role partners with a cross-cultural team from Cairns to Cape York Peninsular and beyond, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and statutory requirements while supporting CEQ’s values and mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in commerce or business.
• CPA/CA or equivalent post-graduate qualification preferred.
• Retail or public sector experience desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Australian accounting standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements and journals.
• Oversee accounts receivable and accounts payable functions.
• Coordinate monthly and annual financial reporting and budgeting.
• Support external and internal auditors as required.
• Lead and mentor junior accounting staff within Corporate Services.

Skills

Financial accounting

Leadership

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Audit liaison

Education

Bachelor of Commerce or Business Degree

Tools

Pronto

Xero

QuickBooks

MYOB

SAP

Job description

Community Enterprise Queensland – Cairns QLD

Are you ready to embark on a career journey that offers professional growth working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in remote communities and related networks and deliver a meaningful impact? Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) has two opportunities for dedicated individuals to fill the pivotal roles of Financial Accountant.

As a critical team member, you will be at the heart of our services function in the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area, and remote Aboriginal communities. Operating in 31 retail stores across remote locations, CEQ ensures access to quality fresh food, groceries, and essential services like fuel, gas, and ATM facilities.

It really needs you to be enthusiastic about making a difference and ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role that aligns with your values (ours is "Caring, every day, always") and aspirations. If so, we invite you to join us at Community Enterprise Queensland.

About the role

CEQ is seeking an experienced Financial Accountant to join our Corporate Services team. This senior role combines technical accounting expertise, team leadership and business partnering across a culturally diverse, geographically dispersed organisation.

Partnering with a cross-cultural, geographically dispersed team from Cairns to Cape York Peninsula, Gulf of Carpentaria, North Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands, the Financial Accountant will work in alignment with the CEQ vision and values and plays an integral role in ensuring the ongoing success and reputation of CEQ as an employer of choice.

Key Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Work closely with the Manager Financial Services to fulfil the external reporting requirements of CEQ, including monthly and annual financial reporting and quarterly and annual budget statements.
• Overseeing the Accounts Receivable and Payable functions of CEQ
• Providing information for high level of analysis and expertise on the interpretation of CEQ's financial position.
• Prepare and coordinate monthly and annual financial statements journals.
• Work with the Senior Financial Accountant in Providing information for monthly and annual reporting including financial analysis and report.
• Generate management reports monthly.
• Assist in the preparation and coordinate budget reviews.
• Coordinate the General Ledger end of month close by the fourth working day after end of month.
• Assist with the production of the annual budget and any budget reviews.
• Co-ordinate the year end process including cut off processes and rollovers of all financial systems.
• Ensure all output conforms with the current applicable accounting standards and other legislative requirements e.g., Financial and Accountability Act 2009 and Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009.
• Ensure all corporate information is captured within CEQ's business systems adhering to
• Recordkeeping policies and procedures.
• Provide expert advice on the interpretation and implementation of the Accounting Standards including provision of advice on Exposure Draft(s).
• Maintain CEQ 's leasing register including both oversight of payments and up to date invoicing of tenants.
• Ensure appropriate internal controls are in place and operating effectively and are monitored when system or process changes occur.
• Reconcile and assist in the reconciliation of subsidiary ledgers to General Ledger Control accounts.
• Ensure a program of reconciliation exists for all balance sheet accounts and that completion of these is monitored.
• Liaising with External and Internal Auditors on an as-needs basis.
• Ensure any control issues identified by Auditors are addressed in a timely fashion; and
• Providing expert advice on policy, processes, and procedures, identifying matters for development.
• Providing advice and implement decisions on processes as they relate to Statement preparation.
• Assist and provide information for improvement projects within the Financial Services portfolio as required.
• Train and develop the Assistant Accountant to support the wider finance team during leave cover and absence
• Mentor team members, address human resource matters appropriately, and ensure 100% of performance reviews are completed in accordance with CEQ policy.
• Other reasonable duties as requested by Senior Leadership in Corporate Services or the CEO.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Commerce or Business Degree.
• Certified Practicing Accountant (Australian Society Certified Practising Accountants CPA) or Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia CA) or other post-graduate financial degree meeting admission requirements to CA, CPA or Institute of Public Accountants.
• Previous experience working in a similar role within the Retail environment or Public Sector is desirable but not essential.
• Previous experience working in a large and complex business is desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984, Financial Accountability Act 2009 and associated regulations and Australian Accounting Standards.
• Thorough knowledge of financial compliance
• Confidentiality and effective negotiation skills with the ability to influence when dealing with stakeholders.
• Budgeting knowledge (including types of budgeting) associated with Statutory Body process
• Provision of advice in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards.
• All practices and reporting is in accordance with financial legislative requirements and CEQ policy
• Significant commercial accounting experience in a large multi-disciplinary organisation.
• All safety risks are reported.
• Current Criminal History check - no more than 3 months old.

Software & Systems Experience

• Proficiency in comprehensive systems that streamline financial processes including modules for general ledger, accounts payable, and reporting
• Proficiency with various software and systems to manage financial data, perform analysis, and generate reports.
• Intermediate to advanced level of competency using the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
• Proficiency in accounting software like Pronto, Xero, QuickBooks, MYOB and SAP

Our Culture

CEQ promote an honest, progressive, collaborate, respectful and inclusive teamwork environment throughout the establishment, culturing diversity and growth within the workforce.

• 4 weeks annual leave & 17.5% leave loading
• Ability to Salary Sacrifice up to $15,900.00 p.a. (meals & entertainment options)
• Employee assistance program (counselling & support services) available
• Workplace health and wellbeing initiatives.

Applications

Applications close 18 November 2026.

First Nations applicants are encouraged to apply. For more information, email ****@ceqld.org.au