Principal Accountant

Richmond Valley Council; Richmond; On-site; AUD 116,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leave Management Policy

Ongoing training and development

Fitness Passport

Free yoga and meditation

Health & Wellbeing Day

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Richmond Valley Council is seeking a Principal Accountant to lead the finance team and deliver high-quality financial systems and reporting across the organisation.

The role focuses on strategic financial advice, process improvements, and ensuring compliance with budgeting and legislative requirements. A permanent full-time position based in Casino NSW offers a clear career path and opportunities to influence council performance.

Qualifications

• Led finance teams delivering management accounting services.
• Strong budgeting, reporting, payroll experience and compliance.
• Ability to drive process improvements and provide strategic financial advice.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff to provide high-quality financial systems, reporting and process improvements.
• Deliver timely, accurate financial statements in line with council plans.
• Provide strategic financial advice to support informed decision-making.
• Collaborate across departments to drive performance and efficiencies.

Skills

Finance leadership

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Payroll

Accounting standards

Legislation

Change management

Relationship building

Job description

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT

Permanent Full Time - Casino

The Richmond Valley is in the heart of the Northern Rivers, with wide open spaces and room to grow. We're a down-to-earth, friendly community - where you can still enjoy the welcome of a country town, a family holiday by the beach, or a campfire under the open sky.

It's a place of opportunity, where you can get a start in life or find the change you've been looking for - build a home, raise a family, or buy your first acreage. Success is earned through hard work, persistence, and the courage to get back on your feet in hard times.

Our organisation is defined by integrity and passion in what we do. When challenges come, we endure, we recover, and we rise once again to rebuild. Our people are connected through a shared love of this place and in serving our community.

About you

We are looking for a confident and experienced finance professional who can lead a high-performing team and provide strategic financial advice across Council.

• Experience leading finance teams and delivering quality financial and management accounting services.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, accounting standards and relevant legislation.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, lead change and implement business process improvements.
• Ability to build effective relationships, manage competing priorities and provide clear financial advice to support informed decision-making.

You will be a solutions-focused and collaborative leader who takes pride in delivering accurate, timely and compliant financial services while contributing to the broader performance and success of Council.

About the role

The primary purpose of the role is to lead staff to provide high-quality financial systems, financial reporting and business process improvement in line with Council's delivery and operational plans.

Full time: 70-hour fortnight

Salary: Range from $116,116 to $133,530 pa + 12% superannuation

Contact: Ryan Gaiter, Director Organisational Services or Hayley Martin, Manager Finance and Performance - (02) 6660 0***

NOTE: Please read the role description for more information regarding key accountabilities of the role, essential qualifications and obligations.

What we offer

Richmond Valley Council offers a range of other benefits for its employees including:

• A Leave Management Policy providing compassionate leave, LSL after 5 years and volunteer leave to name a few
• Ongoing training and development
• Fitness Passport
• Free yoga and meditation each week
• A fun Health & Wellbeing Day
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Council is committed to creating a workforce that celebrates inclusion, diversity and equality. We believe our employees are a reflection of the diverse community we serve and are proud to support equal opportunities for all of the Richmond Valley.