Senior Client Manager and Accountant

The Engaged Space; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VBA Accountants is seeking a technically confident, client-focused senior accountant to own an allocated portfolio. You will work with independence, understand each client’s business deeply, and coordinate onshore/offshore resources while maintaining accountability for quality and timeliness.

The role balances hands-on accounting with relationship management and coaching of others. You will oversee BAS, IAS, tax, financial statements, and lead business improvement initiatives within a modern

Qualifications

• Approximately 5–10+ years' accounting experience, ideally in Australian public practice.
• Proven experience managing a portfolio of clients or similar client-facing responsibilities.
• Strong hands-on skills across tax, bookkeeping, payroll, GST and financial statements.
• Confident communicator, comfortable dealing directly with business owners and clients.
• High level Excel skills and proficiency with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks or similar.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage an allocated client portfolio, acting as the primary relationship contact.
• Prepare, review and lodge BAS, IAS, tax returns, financial statements and more across individuals, companies, trusts and partnerships.
• Oversee bookkeeping, payroll, reconciliations, management reporting and forecasting.
• Coordinate and delegate work across onshore and offshore support resources while retaining accountability.
• Act as a technical escalation point on complex accounting, tax and compliance matters.
• Champion technology, automation and continuous improvement across the client portfolio.
• Play a key role in business direction, growth and continuous improvement.

Skills

Accounting

Client relationships

Leadership

Communication

Excel

Education

CA/CPA qualified

Tertiary qualifications

Tools

Xero

MYOB

QuickBooks

Job description

VBA Accountants is a modern accounting firm that takes a collaborative, client-focused approach to managing finances. We work closely with our clients, from individuals to growing businesses, to deliver tailored services across taxation and compliance, business advisory, bookkeeping, payroll and property planning.

About the Role

We're looking for a technically confident, client-focused accountant to take ownership of an allocated portfolio of VBA Accountants clients. You'll work with a high degree of independence, developing a deep understanding of each client's business before progressively coordinating and delegating work to onshore, offshore and other support resources.

This is a senior role for someone who's just as comfortable rolling up their sleeves on the technical work as they are managing relationships, reviewing outputs and coaching others. It would be suited to someone who takes pride in being accountable for the quality, accuracy and timeliness of everything delivered.

What You'll Do

Build and manage an allocated client portfolio, acting as the primary relationship contact

Prepare, review and lodge BAS, IAS, tax returns, financial statements and more across individuals, companies, trusts and partnerships

Oversee bookkeeping, payroll, reconciliations, management reporting and forecasting

Coordinate and delegate work across onshore and offshore support resources while retaining accountability

Act as a technical escalation point on complex accounting, tax and compliance matters

Champion technology, automation and continuous improvement across the client portfolio

Play a key role in business direction, growth and continuous improvement

About You

Approximately 5–10+ years' accounting experience, ideally in Australian public practice

Proven experience managing a portfolio of clients or similar client-facing responsibilities

Strong hands-on skills across tax, bookkeeping, payroll, GST and financial statements

Confident communicator, comfortable dealing directly with business owners and clients

High level Excel skills and strong proficiency with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks or similar

CA or CPA qualified (or working towards), with relevant tertiary qualifications