Intermediate, Senior, Supervisor and Client Manager - Public Practice

Recruitment Expert; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 135,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Extensive training

Equity opportunities

Job summary

Recruitment Expert's client, a longstanding accounting and advisory firm on Sydney's Northern Beaches, is recruiting across four levels: Intermediate Accountant, Senior Accountant, Client Manager. The firm highlights hybrid working, extensive training and equity opportunities as part of a long-term career path.

Based in Brookvale, the firm supports about 550 SMSFs and serves 2,500+ clients with annual billings over $20 million.

Responsibilities

• Preparing financial statements and income tax returns
• Preparing BAS and other compliance work
• Responding to review queries
• Managing client relationships and cross-team collaboration
• Leading and mentoring junior accountants

Job description

• Salary up to $175,000 plus superannuation
• Brookvale, NSW
• Hybrid working | Extensive training | Equity opportunities

Whether you are an Intermediate Accountant ready to accelerate your development, an experienced Senior or Supervisor seeking greater client exposure, or a Client Manager looking for a genuine pathway to equity, this firm offers an opportunity to build a substantial long-term career on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Our client is a highly regarded, 70-year-old accounting and advisory firm located in Brookvale. Ranked among Australia’s leading accounting firms, the business has approximately 100 employees, more than 2,500 clients and annual billings exceeding $20 million.

Due to continued growth, internal promotions and the ongoing development of its client teams, the firm is recruiting across four levels:

• Intermediate Accountant
• Senior Accountant
• Client Manager

Your final position and remuneration will be based on your demonstrated technical ability, communication skills, leadership capability and alignment with the firm’s comprehensive competency framework—not simply your current job title or years of experience.

About the firm

This is one of the largest and most established professional-services firms on the Northern Beaches.

In addition to business services and taxation, the broader group includes:

• Financial planning and wealth management
• Self-managed superannuation
• International taxation
• Human resources consulting
• Mortgage and finance services
• Specialist advisory services

The firm supports approximately 550 self-managed superannuation funds and is part of an international accounting alliance, providing exposure to cross-border matters and global professional networks.

Its Australian team is supported by long-standing employees in Vietnam who operate as fully integrated members of the firm’s client teams.

Opportunities at every level

Intermediate Accountant

You will develop your technical foundation while working within an experienced client team.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Preparing financial statements and income tax returns
• Preparing BAS and other compliance work
• Completing tax reconciliations and supporting workpapers
• Responding to review queries
• Communicating with clients to obtain information
• Working across companies, trusts, partnerships and individuals
• Participating in the firm’s structured training and mentoring programs
• Developing toward Senior Accountant responsibilities

Senior Accountant

You will manage more complex assignments and begin taking greater ownership of client relationships and workflow.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Preparing complex financial statements and tax returns
• Managing jobs from commencement through to completion
• Communicating directly with clients
• Explaining BAS and year-end results
• Resolving accounting and taxation queries
• Assisting with business and structuring matters
• Supporting and mentoring intermediate and graduate accountants
• Managing deadlines across a varied client portfolio
• Developing toward a Supervisor position

You will work closely with a Client Manager and assist with the operation of an established client team.

This is an active role focused less on processing and more on review, coordination, client communication and team support.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Reviewing work completed by accountants
• Assisting with the management of team workflow and deadlines
• Acting as a direct contact for clients
• Explaining BAS, financial statements and taxation outcomes
• Resolving day-to-day client and team queries
• Supporting, coaching and mentoring junior accountants
• Managing the firm’s extensive ATO compliance program
• Assisting with WIP, scheduling and month-end billing
• Progressively assuming greater responsibility for client relationships
• Developing toward Client Manager level

Client Manager

You will take responsibility for a substantial client portfolio and lead a complete accounting team.

Depending on your experience, the portfolio may comprise approximately $800,000 to $1 million in annual fees, with larger portfolios available as you progress.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Managing an established portfolio of business clients
• Leading and developing a team of accountants
• Maintaining strong client retention and service standards
• Managing work from commencement through to billing
• Monitoring workflow, WIP, budgets and recovery
• Reviewing complex compliance and advisory work
• Explaining financial and taxation outcomes to clients
• Providing commercial, taxation and structuring advice
• Supporting clients with transactions and business decisions
• Working directly with Directors and Associate Directors
• Identifying opportunities to expand client relationships
• Progressing toward Associate Director and equity participation

Approximately 10 years of public-practice experience would normally be expected at Client Manager level. However, the firm takes a merit-based approach and will consider candidates who can demonstrate the required autonomy, communication, leadership and portfolio-management ability with fewer years of experience.

What the firm values

Technical ability is important, but it is only one component of success.

The firm is particularly interested in accountants who can:

• Communicate confidently and clearly with clients
• Develop trusted, long-term professional relationships
• Motivate, coach and support other team members
• Take responsibility for deadlines and outcomes
• Solve problems without requiring constant direction
• Balance commercial performance with empathy and teamwork
• Work collaboratively with Australian and international colleagues
• Demonstrate ambition without competing at the expense of others
• Contribute positively to a supportive, client-focused culture

This is not the environment for someone who wants to sit in isolation and process work without communicating with clients or colleagues.

Training and career development

The firm provides comprehensive technical training, structured coaching and active career support.

Senior leaders meet with employees regularly to discuss:

• Leadership capability
• Areas requiring improvement
• Readiness for promotion
• Opportunities to assume greater responsibility

Career progression is based on merit rather than rigid tenure requirements. The firm has recently promoted multiple employees across its accounting teams, including appointments to Client Manager and Associate Director level.

If you demonstrate that you are ready, you will be encouraged to progress.

Equity opportunities

Client Managers may be offered the opportunity to acquire equity in the business before reaching Director level.

The firm has completed several employee-equity transactions and currently has multiple Client Managers participating in, or progressing toward, ownership. This provides high-performing professionals with the opportunity to benefit financially from the value they help create while building toward Associate Director or Director.

This is a genuine ownership pathway—not a vague promise of partnership at some undefined point in the future.

Flexibility and working from home

The firm supports hybrid working, with established employees commonly working approximately two days per week from home.

New employees are expected to spend an initial period working from the Brookvale office so they can:

• Learn the firm’s systems and processes
• Develop relationships with their team
• Understand the client base
• Complete the necessary training
• Demonstrate that they can work effectively and independently

Working-from-home arrangements are introduced once the firm and employee are confident that the arrangement will be successful. The timing depends on the individual’s level, performance and integration into the team.

Candidates must therefore be able and willing to travel reliably to Brookvale, particularly during their initial employment period.

Location and workplace

The firm is located in a modern, environmentally designed office complex in Brookvale, close to Warringah Mall and major bus routes.

The firm has invested heavily in modern systems, automation and artificial intelligence, creating an efficient and technologically progressive working environment.

A supportive and inclusive culture

The culture is stable, collaborative, supportive and performance-focused without expecting employees to sacrifice their personal lives.

The firm offers:

• A predominantly female workforce
• Support for parents returning to work
• Flexible arrangements for established employees
• A team-oriented environment
• Accessible Directors and senior leaders
• Regular career discussions
• Strong technical and leadership mentoring
• Opportunities without the excessive hours commonly associated with city firms

Employees are expected to perform at a high level, but success is measured across client service, technical quality, teamwork, leadership and commercial performance—not billable hours alone.

A competitive salary will be tailored to the successful candidate’s level and demonstrated capability, with packages available up to:

The firm is prepared to pay strongly for candidates who meet its competency standards and can make a meaningful contribution.

If you are an ambitious public-practice accountant seeking stronger development, meaningful client exposure and a genuine long-term career opportunity, we would welcome a confidential discussion.