Practice Manager - Local Accounting Firm

Lawson Elliott Recruitment; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work from home 1 day per week

Job summary

Lawson Elliott Recruitment is recruiting a Practice Manager for an established regional Australian accounting firm in Ballarat. The role focuses on ownership of workflow, capacity planning and operational performance, with a tech-forward environment using XPM, FYI and Xero.

You will lead staff, manage client engagements from start to finish, and drive continuous process improvements while partnering with the Principal to progressively reduce direct involvement in routine operations.

Qualifications

• Experience in Australian public accounting practice is preferred.
• Strong people-management and organisational skills.
• Proactive, client-focused with good communication.
• Ability to identify and implement practical improvements.

Responsibilities

• Manage team capacity and workflow by planning resources, prioritising deadlines and allocating work.
• Oversee jobs from commencement to completion, ensuring information is followed up promptly.
• Lead regular workflow and team meetings, setting expectations and deadlines.
• Identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks and process gaps before impact on quality.
• Drive systems and technology improvements using XPM/FYI to boost efficiency.
• Coach and develop the team to reduce involvement of Principal in day-to-day staff management.

Skills

People management

Workflow management

Operational planning

Client communication

Process improvement

Tools

Xero

XPM

FYI

Job description

Practice Manager - Local Accounting Firm

Growing accounting firm, team of 12

High impact operational role

Work from home flexibility 1 day per week

My client is an established regional accounting practice with approximately $2.2 million in annual fees and a team of 12, including the Principal. The practice provides accounting, taxation and advisory services predominantly to privately owned business groups, with client t/o in the range of $5m - $30m. The firm is now looking to appoint a Practice Manager to take ownership of the workflow, capacity, team coordination and operational performance of the practice.

The ideal candidate will possess experience within an Australian public accounting practice, with strong people-management, organisational and workflow management skills, confidence to lead staff, and a practical understanding of practice operations. They will be proactive and client-focused, with strong communication skills and an ability to identify and implement practical improvements.

The firm is tech-focused, with experience using Xero, XPM and FYI highly regarded. Please note, the balance of the position responsibilities can be tailored to the experience and strengths of the successful candidate.

Manage team capacity and workflow by planning resources, prioritising deadlines and allocating work effectively.

Oversee jobs from commencement to completion, ensuring matters progress smoothly and outstanding client information is followed up promptly.

Lead regular workflow and team meetings, setting clear expectations and holding team members accountable for agreed responsibilities and deadlines.

Identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks, recurring errors and process gaps before they impact quality, turnaround times or client service.

Drive systems, process and technology improvements, including the effective use of XPM, FYI and other practice systems to improve efficiency and consistency.

Coach and develop the team while building a culture of ownership and continuous improvement, working closely with the Principal to progressively reduce their involvement in routine workflow and staff management.