Principal Financial Accountant

Michael Page; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 77,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is supporting a Queensland State Government Department in Brisbane to fill a Principal Financial Accountant role on an initial contract through to the end of March 2027, with hybrid CBD-based working arrangements.

The role leads financial accounting operations, asset management, and reporting, delivering expert advice to management and stakeholders, and guiding a team across direct and shared resources to ensure compliance with policy and statutory requirements.

Qualifications

• Senior-level capability in delivering financial accounting services.
• CA or CPA qualification highly regarded.
• Ability to lead and coordinate teams during change.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations of financial ledgers and end-of-month activities.
• Deliver timely financial accounting services and stakeholder advice.
• Ensure non-current assets are recognized and in asset ledger.
• Coordinate development and monitoring of financial management strategies.
• Prepare annual financial statements and liaise with auditors.
• Lead financial management projects and reporting to senior management.
• Develop team resources for efficient financial accounting services.

Education

CA or CPA

Job description

About Our Client

We are supporting a key Queensland State Government Department as they seek to add experienced capability to their financial accounting team over an important period. The Department has played an increasingly visible role and undergone a significant degree of change and transformation under the sitting government, all designed around how they best deliver their services on behalf of Queenslanders. The Principal Financial Accountant role sits within the internal operations team and allows for those on the front line to deliver their services effectively.

• Initial contract through end of Q1 '27
• CBD based with hybrid working

Job Description

The Principal Financial Accountant role is due to run initially until the end of March, with possibility for extension. The expectation is the candidate who steps into this role will provide leadership and direction in the delivery of financial accounting, analysis and advice to management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the operations of the Department financial ledgers, particularly end of month accounting activities.
• Lead the delivery of financial accounting services through the provision of professional and timely advice to stakeholders within and external to the Department.
• Ensure non-current assets are appropriately recognised and maintained in the relevant asset register and general ledger.
• Lead, manage and coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of financial management strategies and practices that ensure compliance with statutory requirements and government policy and enhance and promote sound and better practice financial management practice.
• Apply expert knowledge to the preparation of the annual financial statements, including the planning of all associated activities and communication with relevant auditors.
• Lead, manage and coordinate financial management projects including interpreting and analysing financial data and performance to ensure key outcomes are delivered on time.
• Provide reporting to senior management through formal financial and management reporting and ad-hoc reporting on key financial accounting matters and significant business initiatives and the possible impact on the Department.
• Develop and lead a team of direct, shared and business unit resources in the provision of efficient, effective and economical financial accounting services.

Full responsibilities will be included in the position description.

The Successful Applicant

The candidate profile we hope to find for the Principal Financial Accountant Position includes:

• High level of capability in the delivery of financial management services at a senior level
• Deep knowledge of financial accounting practices, standards and policies with proven track record of delivery
• Ability to review financial data and identify inconsistencies.
• Clear leadership skills, including management of teams and leading through change
• Formal accounting qualification such as CA or CPA is highly regarded

What's on Offer

The role will be offered at an hourly rate of up to $93 per hour plus super.

Quote job ref: JN-112026-7140074