Senior Accountant - Cairns

Carey Group; Cairns Regional; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early finish Fridays

Hybrid working options

Corporate health & wellbeing

Job summary

Carey Group in Cairns is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant to own a diverse client portfolio as a trusted advisor, moving beyond compliance into advisory work with support from Partners.

You will prepare and review financial statements, tax returns and compliance, mentor junior accountants, and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team across Queensland.

Based in Cairns with flexible hybrid options, the role offers clear career progression and the chance to shape client outcomes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in Business Services, Tax or Audit.
• CA or CPA qualified, or close to completion.
• A degree in Accounting, Commerce or a related discipline.
• Strong technical accounting and taxation knowledge.
• A track record of managing client relationships and delivering quality outcomes.
• Leadership qualities and confidence to guide junior team member.

Responsibilities

• Managing your own portfolio of clients as their trusted advisor.
• Preparing and reviewing financial statements, tax returns and compliance work.
• Moving into advisory work: business planning, structuring and growth conversations.
• Working directly with Partners on complex client matters and strategy.
• Mentoring and supporting junior accountants as they develop.
• Identifying opportunities to add value beyond compliance.

Skills

5+ years experience

Leadership

Client relationship management

Strong communication

Time management

Education

CA or CPA

Degree in Accounting or Commerce

Tools

Xero

MYOB

Excel

Job description

We encourage client interaction at every level, and as Senior Accountant, you'll own it. You'll manage your own portfolio of clients as their trusted advisor, move beyond compliance into genuine advisory work, and have the autonomy to run your own relationships with the support of experienced Partners when it counts.

You will be the point of contact your clients rely on: business owners, primary producers, professionals and family groups. You will guide them through complex decisions that shape their future, not just their obligations, while developing junior accountants and helping shape the team around you.

While you'll be based in Cairns, you'll be part of a multi-disciplinary team across Queensland, with specialists in accounting, tax, assurance and financial planning. You'll have the breadth of experience and the clear pathways you need to keep progressing your career.

What you'll do

Managing your own portfolio of clients as their trusted advisor

Preparing and reviewing financial statements, tax returns and compliance work

Moving into advisory work: business planning, structuring and growth conversations

Working directly with Partners on complex client matters and strategy

Mentoring and supporting junior accountants as they develop

Identifying opportunities to add value beyond compliance

What you'll bring

We're looking for an experienced accountant ready to take ownership and lead:

Around 5+ year's experience in Business Services, Tax or Audit

CA or CPA qualified, or close to completing

A degree in Accounting, Commerce or a related discipline

Strong technical accounting and taxation knowledge

A track record of managing client relationships and delivering quality outcomes

Leadership qualities and confidence to guide junior team member

Strong organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities

Experience with Xero, MYOB or similar accounting software

What's in it for you?

We invest in our people the way we invest in our client relationships - for the long term:

Your own client portfolio and the autonomy to run it

Clear career progression opportunities

Direct access to experienced Managers and Partners

The opportunity to broaden your experience across accounting, tax, assurance and financial planning

An early finish every Friday, and a team that's realistic about workload

Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid working options

Corporate health and wellbeing initiatives

About Carey Group

We're a modern accounting and advisory practice with 75 years behind us. We use contemporary systems and take an advisory-led approach, built on the trusted relationships we've held with businesses, families and communities since 1951. Today we're one of the region's largest independently owned accounting and financial services firms, with more than 90 team members across Townsville, Ingham, Cairns, the Tablelands and Brisbane. We back our people and stay involved in the communities we work in.

Carey Group is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.