Manager, External Reporting & Technical Accounting

Willis Towers Watson plc; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Willis Towers Watson plc in Melbourne seeks an experienced Manager to lead external reporting and technical accounting across the Australian group. You will oversee statutory statements, manage external audits, and guide technical accounting in acquisitions and restructures while driving governance and tax oversight.

This senior role partners with global accounting teams and regulators, supporting finance transformation and climate-related reporting initiatives in a multinational professional

Qualifications

• CA or CPA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• 10+ years' experience in external reporting, financial controllership, technical accounting or audit.
• Strong knowledge of AASB, IFRS and statutory reporting requirements.
• Experience managing external audits and complex reporting processes.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret accounting standards and provide guidance on complex business transactions.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Experience in a multinational, professional services or regulated environment highly regarded.
• Exposure to sustainability reporting, M&A transactions, tax governance or corporate restructuring activities viewed favorably.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of statutory financial statements for Australian entities, including regulated AFSL entities and consolidated group reporting requirements.
• Oversee month-end and quarter-end reporting activities, including balance sheet governance, financial analysis and group reporting submissions.
• Manage external audit engagements and serve as the primary liaison with auditors, ensuring timely delivery and resolution of audit matters.
• Lead the assessment of technical accounting implications arising from acquisitions, divestments, restructures and legal entity rationalisations, partnering with the Group Technical Accounting team to deliver robust accounting outcomes and support strategic decision-making.
• Provide oversight of Australian income tax compliance, reporting and governance activities, partnering with external tax advisors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely fulfilment of tax obligations and effective management of tax risks.
• Lead and coordinate Australia's climate-related reporting and sustainability disclosure activities, ensuring compliance with evolving reporting requirements and regulatory expectations.
• Monitor and interpret emerging accounting, corporate reporting and regulatory developments, providing practical guidance and recommendations to finance and business stakeholders.
• Strengthen financial governance, internal control and reporting frameworks to support regulatory compliance, risk management and reporting excellence.
• Drive finance transformation, process improvement and automation initiatives across the Record-to-Report function to enhance efficiency, scalability and control.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Technical accounting

Education

CA or CPA

Job description

Manager, External Reporting & Technical Accounting

Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity, compliance and quality of financial reporting across the Australian group. You will work closely with senior finance leaders, business stakeholders, external auditors and global accounting teams while contributing to strategic initiatives, regulatory compliance and finance transformation programs

This role offers broad exposure across financial reporting, technical accounting, income tax oversight, sustainability reporting, M&A activities and process improvement, making it an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional looking to further develop their leadership and technical expertise.

The Role

Lead the preparation and delivery of statutory financial statements for Australian entities, including regulated AFSL entities and consolidated group reporting requirements.

Oversee month-end and quarter-end reporting activities, including balance sheet governance, financial analysis and group reporting submissions.

Manage external audit engagements and serve as the primary liaison with auditors, ensuring timely delivery and resolution of audit matters.

Lead the assessment of technical accounting implications arising from acquisitions, divestments, restructures and legal entity rationalisations, partnering with the Group Technical Accounting team to deliver robust accounting outcomes and support strategic decision-making.

Provide oversight of Australian income tax compliance, reporting and governance activities, partnering with external tax advisors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely fulfilment of tax obligations and effective management of tax risks.

Lead and coordinate Australia's climate-related reporting and sustainability disclosure activities, ensuring compliance with evolving reporting requirements and regulatory expectations.

Monitor and interpret emerging accounting, corporate reporting and regulatory developments, providing practical guidance and recommendations to finance and business stakeholders.

Strengthen financial governance, internal control and reporting frameworks to support regulatory compliance, risk management and reporting excellence.

Drive finance transformation, process improvement and automation initiatives across the Record-to-Report function to enhance efficiency, scalability and control.

The Requirement

CA or CPA or equivalent professional accounting qualification

10+ years' experience in external reporting, financial controllership, technical accounting or audit

Strong knowledge of AASB, IFRS and statutory reporting requirements

Experience managing external audits and complex reporting processes

Demonstrated ability to interpret accounting standards and provide guidance on complex business transactions

Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization

Experience in a multinational, professional services or regulated environment highly regarded

Exposure to sustainability reporting, M&A transactions, tax governance or corporate restructuring activities viewed favorably