Senior Accountant

Focus Partners Australia & Escala Partners; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus Partners Australia is seeking a Senior Accountant to prepare and review accounting and taxation work, support client engagements and contribute to tax planning opportunities. The role includes guiding junior staff and coordinating with offshore teams to ensure high-quality outputs and timely delivery.

Based in Sydney, NSW, this senior position emphasises technical tax compliance, advisory work, and strong client communication while supporting a broader team in delivering integrated

Qualifications

• 4+ years' experience in business services and taxation within public practice
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related discipline
• CPA or CA qualification (or near completion)
• Strong technical foundation in tax compliance and planning

Responsibilities

• Undertake direct client contact (SME owners, individuals, family groups) and participate in meetings for annual compliance reviews, tax planning discussions and ad-hoc advice.
• Gather and clarify client information required for compliance and advisory (year-end adjustments, Division 7A loan details, trust distribution intentions, asset purchases/sales, payroll and GST treatment).
• Identify tax planning or structuring opportunities (e.g., small business CGT concessions readiness, remuneration mix, trust distribution considerations) and escalate to Principal for advice sign-off.
• Respond to client and internal queries promptly and professionally, ensuring responses are technically accurate and appropriately documented.
• Review financial statements for entities including companies, trusts, partnerships and individuals
• Perform year-end reconciliations and adjustment journals, ensuring workpapers clearly support balances.
• Prepare/review BAS and IAS obligations (GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments) including reconciliation of GST accounts and reasonableness checks across reporting periods.
• Identify and address common GST issues, escalating higher-risk items to the Principal.
• Maintain complete, review-ready working files (checklists, workpapers, key assumptions, correspondence)
• Ensure deadlines and lodgement readiness are managed effectively; flag missing information early and propose clear next steps to keep work moving.
• Provide clear instructions to offshore preparers and review offshore output for completeness, technical accuracy and presentation prior to onshore review.
• Respond to offshore technical queries and contribute to continuous improvement of templates/process notes to lift quality and reduce rework.
• Assist with internal training and knowledge sharing (e.g., common tax issues, workpaper standards, practical tips for efficiency).
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, consistency and client experience.

Skills

Tech capability

Attention to detail

Planning & organisation

Accountability

Communication

Team collaboration

Guidance & feedback

Proactive issue-spotting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA or CA

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Accountant is an experienced technical role responsible for preparing and reviewing accounting and taxation work, supporting client engagements, and contributing to tax planning and advisory opportunities. The role provides guidance to junior team members and supports offshore teams on technical matters to ensure high-quality outcomes and timely delivery.

This role is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Primary Responsibilities

Client & Advisory Support

• Undertake direct client contact (SME owners, individuals, family groups) and participate in meetings for annual compliance reviews, tax planning discussions and ad-hoc advice.


• Gather and clarify client information required for compliance and advisory (year-end adjustments, Division 7A loan details, trust distribution intentions, asset purchases/sales, payroll and GST treatment).


• Identify tax planning or structuring opportunities (e.g., small business CGT concessions readiness, remuneration mix, trust distribution considerations) and elevate recommendations to Principal for advice sign-off.


• Respond to client and internal queries promptly and professionally, ensuring responses are technically accurate and appropriately documented.

Accounting & Taxation

• Review financial statements for entities including companies, trusts, partnerships and individuals

• Perform year-end reconciliations and adjustment journals, ensuring workpapers clearly support balances.


• Prepare/review BAS and IAS obligations (GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments) including reconciliation of GST accounts and reasonableness checks across reporting periods.


• Identify and address common GST issues, escalating higher-risk items to the Principal.

Quality, Risk & Documentation

• Maintain complete, review-ready working files (checklists, workpapers, key assumptions, correspondence) that support conclusions and meet internal quality standards.


• Ensure deadlines and lodgement readiness are managed effectively; flag missing information early and propose clear next steps to keep work moving.

Offshore Team Support

• Provide clear instructions to offshore preparers and review offshore output for completeness, technical accuracy and presentation prior to onshore review.


• Respond to offshore technical queries and contribute to continuous improvement of templates/process notes to lift quality and reduce rework.

Team Contribution

• Assist with internal training and knowledge sharing (e.g., common tax issues, workpaper standards, practical tips for efficiency).


• Contribute to process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, consistency and client experience.

Qualifications

• 4+ years' experience in business services and taxation within public practice


• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related discipline


• CPA or CA qualification (or near completion)


• Strong technical foundation in tax compliance and planning

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong technical capability and commitment to delivering high-quality work


• High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and consistency


• Well developed planning and organisation skills with the ability to manage competing priorities


• Strong accountability and ownership of tasks, with reliable follow-through


• Professional communication style with clients and internal stakeholders


• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to team culture


• Confidence providing guidance, support and feedback to others when required


• Proactive approach to identifying issues and escalating appropriately

Focus Partners Australia is part of Focus Financial Partners, a leading financial services firm based in the United States, comprised of wealth management, family office, and business management services. Focus Partners Australia offers integrated capabilities in investment and portfolio management, accounting, lending, insurance and related services from its offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Guided by a client-first ethos, we leverage the global expertise, platforms and capital strength of Focus Financial Partners to deliver holistic, fiduciary guidance across strategic planning, portfolio management, insurance, credit and tax. By fusing local insight with world-class resources, Focus Partners Australia helps its clients protect, grow, and transition their wealth at every life stage. Discover more about Focus Partners Australia at focuspa.com.au/ or LinkedIn.

About Focus Partners Australia

Focus Partners Australia is part of Focus Financial Partners, a leading financial services firm based in the United States, comprised of wealth management, family office, and business management services. Focus Partners Australia offers integrated capabilities in investment and portfolio management, accounting, lending, insurance and related services from its offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Guided by a client-first ethos, we leverage the global expertise, platforms and capital strength of Focus Financial Partners to deliver holistic, fiduciary guidance across strategic planning, portfolio management, insurance, credit and tax. By fusing local insight with world-class resources, Focus Partners Australia helps its clients protect, grow, and transition their wealth at every life stage. Discover more about Focus Partners Australia at focuspa.com.au/ or LinkedIn.