Financial Accountant

Freecity; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Freecity is seeking a hands-on Financial Accountant to deliver reliable financial reporting, project accounting, payroll and compliance for our construction business. You will work with senior management, Group Finance and project teams to explain financial performance, maintain strong controls and support cash-flow decisions.

You will own month-end and year-end accounting, prepare management accounts and project reports, and manage reconciliation of WIP, variations and subcontractor costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA Australia or CAANZ membership required.
• Hands-on accounting experience in construction or project-based business.
• Strong Excel and reconciliation skills.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end and year-end accounting processes; journals, accruals, prepayments and reconciliations.
• Prepare management reports, project financials, and cash-flow insights.
• Account for construction revenue under policy; reconcile WIP, unbilled revenue and contract assets/liabilities.
• Coordinate payroll processes and statutory payroll tax compliance with HR.
• Prepare BAS/GST, PAYG and payroll tax returns; maintain compliance calendars.

Skills

Hands-on accounting

Excel skills

Reconciliations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA Australia or CAANZ member

Tools

Jobpac

Payapps

ProcurePro

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Financial Accountant to deliver reliable financial reporting, project accounting, payroll and compliance for our construction business. You will work with senior management, Group Finance and project teams to explain financial performance, maintain strong controls and support cash-flow decisions.

Key responsibilities

Own month-end and year-end accounting: journals, accruals, prepayments, bank and balance-sheet reconciliations, fixed assets, depreciation and intercompany balances.

Prepare management accounts, overhead forecasts and project financial reports; explain cost, margin, contract valuation and forecast movements, risks and opportunities.

Account for construction revenue under AASB 15 and approved policies. Reconcile WIP, unbilled revenue, contract assets and liabilities, retentions and certified client claims; issue and reconcile client invoices.

Reconcile project costs, commitments, approved contract values and variations. Challenge cost-to-complete forecasts with project teams and investigate unsupported margin movements.

Coordinate finance cut-offs, Jobpac month-end and business forecasting module rollovers. Maintain accurate financial data across Jobpac, Payapps and ProcurePro.

Prepare cash-flow forecasts, monitor debtor collections and subcontractor payment schedules, and maintain visibility over guarantees, deposits, retentions and supplier credit limits.

Process weekly and monthly payroll from approved employee records and timesheets. Reconcile payroll, leave, PAYG withholding and superannuation; coordinate STP finalisation, payroll tax, workers compensation and applicable employee contributions with HR.

Prepare BAS/GST, PAYG and payroll tax returns within delegated authority; maintain the compliance calendar and coordinate applicable TPAR, FBT and year-end tax schedules with Group Finance and external advisers.

Oversee and assist AP/AR processing, creditor reconciliations, payment proposals. Maintain supporting evidence, segregation of duties and independent payment authorisation.

Prepare audit and year-end schedules, support budgets and forecasts, resolve project accounting discrepancies and train project teams in finance processes and systems.

About you

Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in Accounting or Finance.

Full CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand membership is required.

Proven hands-on financial accounting experience in construction or a closely related project-based business, including ownership of month-end close and reconciliations.

Strong understanding of project costing, construction revenue and WIP, subcontractor claims, retentions, variations and cost-to-complete forecasting.

Practical Australian payroll and tax-compliance experience, with the ability to maintain accurate records and keep processes aligned with current requirements.

Strong Excel and reconciliation skills. Jobpac experience is highly desirable; Payapps, ProcurePro experience is advantageous.

Able to question discrepancies, meet competing deadlines and explain financial issues clearly to non-finance colleagues.