Senior Bookkeeper / Team Lead

Ablaze Consulting; Sydney; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ablaze Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior Bookkeeper & Client Manager in Sydney to oversee client portfolios, mentor onshore and offshore staff, and drive end-to-end closing processes. You will ensure file integrity, BAS/IAS lodgements, and high-quality service across all engagements.

The role requires 5+ years' Australian bookkeeping experience, a relevant diploma, and strong proficiency in ClickUp, Dext, KeyPay, GovReports, and Excel.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of practical bookkeeping and accounting experience in Australian firms.
• Diploma in Accounting/Bookkeeping or higher; Bachelor's preferred.
• Registered BAS Agent status or eligible for registration is highly advantageous.
• Experience with ClickUp, Dext, KeyPay, GovReports; strong Excel data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Mentor junior and offshore staff and supervise workflows.
• Coordinate task workflows and capacity planning in ClickUp.
• Perform internal QA and review outputs with guidance.
• Champion standards, processes, and efficiency improvements.
• Manage client portfolio as dedicated Client Manager.
• Conduct client meetings and onboarding for new engagements.
• Communicate client file statuses and upcoming deadlines.
• Peer reviews and health checks of Xero data files.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts, bank feeds, intercompany, suspense accounts.
• Prepare, review, and lodge BAS and IAS.

Skills

Team leadership

Client relationship

Data analysis

Process improvement

Mentoring

Executive presentation

Education

Diploma in Accounting/Bookkeeping

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance (preferred)

Tools

ClickUp

Dext

KeyPay

GovReports

Excel (Pivot tables)

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Bookkeeper & Client Manager to oversee client portfolio delivery, lead and mentor junior local and offshore team members, and drive complete file review and end-of-period closing processes. This role balances technical accounting mastery with strong interpersonal skills. You will act as the trusted primary contact for a dedicated group of clients while ensuring operational quality across all file preparation, compliance, month-end, and year-end procedures.

Key responsibilities

Directly mentor, support, and supervise junior and mid-level onshore and offshore bookkeeping staff

Coordinate task workflows, capacity planning, and job assignments in ClickUp

Conduct internal quality assurance, review junior staff outputs, and provide constructive technical guidance

Champion practice-wide standards, processes, and efficiency improvements

Serve as the dedicated Client Manager for an assigned client portfolio, building strong long-term working relationships

Conduct client meetings, address day-to-day inquiries, and manage onboarding for new engagements

Proactively communicate client file statuses, financial insights, and upcoming compliance deadlines

Perform thorough peer reviews and health checks of Xero data files prepared by team members

Ensure all balance sheet accounts, bank feeds, intercompany transactions, and suspense accounts are fully reconciled

Prepare, review, and lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) and Installment Activity Statements (IAS)

About you

Minimum 5+ years of practical bookkeeping and accounting experience within an Australian accounting or bookkeeping firm

Minimum Diploma in Accounting/Bookkeeping or higher (Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance preferred)

Registered BAS Agent status or eligible for registration with industry body association (ICB, ABN, or CPA/CA) is highly advantageous

Demonstrated experience using workflow tools like ClickUp, Dext, KeyPay, GovReports, Advanced MS Excel skills (pivot tables, data analysis functions)

Natural ability to coach, guide, and motivate team members across different geographical setups

Thorough understanding of Australian business taxation, payroll standards, and accounting principles

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with strong executive presentation ability

Meticulous approach to data integrity, file review, and reconciliation accuracy

Proactive and autonomous approach to troubleshooting complex accounting files and workflow roadblocks

About us

Ablaze Consulting is an established boutique bookkeeping and financial consulting practice operating in St Ives, Sydney. With over two decades of operation, we pride ourselves on leveraging modern cloud tech stack solutions to deliver accurate, high-touch financial support to a diverse client portfolio ranging from small businesses to complex enterprise groups. Operating exclusively on Xero, our core focus goes beyond basic data entry to offer complete month-end control, compliance management, and strategic CFO-level insight.