Senior Client Manager - Business Advisory

Wardle Partners Pty Ltd; Caloundra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remuneration package

Hybrid work

CPD support

Team events

Beachside office

Job summary

Wardle Partners Accountants & Advisors is seeking a Senior Client Manager in its Business Advisory division. You will lead a client silo worth about $900,000 in annual fees, with a clear path to grow toward $1.3–$1.5 million, backed by an experienced team at a firm with Sunshine Coast roots since 1982.

You’ll act as the trusted adviser, mentor team members, and help clients with cash flow, tax planning, and business structuring while expanding services and driving firm growth.

Qualifications

• Solid experience in Australian public practice accounting.
• Experience managing client relationships.
• CA or CPA qualifications or progress towards completion.
• Strong technical knowledge across business accounting and taxation.
• Confidence using Xero and other cloud accounting systems.
• Experience with SMSFs, QBCC reporting, XPM, FYI or Ignition is an advantage.
• Proactive, commercially minded and tech-embracing approach.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain complex financial matters.

Responsibilities

• Own your client silo with a mixed portfolio and grow it from ~$900k to $1.3–$1.5M in fees.
• Lead, mentor and develop team members in your silo.
• Advise on cash flow, financing, tax planning and business structuring.
• Identify opportunities to add value with additional services.
• Onboard new clients and contribute to firm growth.
• Oversee QBCC MFR reporting for relevant clients where applicable.

Skills

Client relationships

Leadership

Communication skills

Tech-savvy

Education

CA or CPA qualifications

Tools

Xero

QBCC reporting

XPM

FYI

Ignition

Job description

Senior Client Manager - Business Advisory

At Wardle Partners Accountants & Advisors, we're looking for an experienced Senior Client Manager who wants more than another accounting job.

We're looking for someone with the ambition, leadership skills and commercial mindset to become a future partner in our firm.

You won't be starting from scratch. You'll step into an established client portfolio generating approximately $900,000 in annual fees, supported by an experienced team and a leading firm that's been part of the Sunshine Coast business community since 1982.

We're proud of the workplace we've built. Now we're looking for someone who wants to help shape its future.

Why this opportunity is different

• A genuine partnership opportunity. If becoming a partner is part of your career ambitions, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.
• An established client portfolio. Take ownership of approximately $900,000 in annual client fees, with opportunities to grow the portfolio further.
• Real autonomy. Build strong client relationships, make decisions and have a genuine say in how things are done.
• Lead and develop your own team. Share your knowledge, mentor others and build a team you're proud of.
• More than just compliance. Work closely with business owners, helping them improve profitability, manage cash flow, minimise tax and make informed decisions.
• A workplace where people choose to stay. We have team members who've been with us for 27, 23, 21 and two team members at 20 years. We think that says a lot about the kind of workplace we've built.
• The security of an established firm. We've been helping Sunshine Coast businesses for over 40 years, and we're continuing to grow.

What You’ll Be Doing

In this full-time role, you’ll take ownership of your own client "silo" — a mixed portfolio of business clients currently worth around $900,000 in fees, with a clear path to grow it toward $1.3–$1.5 million. This is a senior, largely autonomous role for someone to manage the portfolio backed by the resources of an established firm.

Day to day, you’ll:

• Act as the primary trusted adviser for your clients — not just producing financial statements and tax returns for companies, trusts, partnerships and SMSFs, but helping clients plan ahead and make better decisions
• Lead, mentor and develop the team members working alongside you in your silo
• Advise on cash flow, finance applications, tax planning and business structuring
• Identify opportunities to bring clients into additional services that genuinely add value
• Help onboard new clients and contribute to the Firm’s growth
• Where relevant, oversee QBCC Minimum Financial Requirement (MFR) reporting for licensed building and construction clients

Could you be the person we’re looking for?

We’re not looking for someone who simply ticks boxes. We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with people, takes pride in helping clients succeed and has the confidence to lead a team.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Solid experience in Australian public practice accounting, including managing client relationships
• CA or CPA qualifications, or be well progressed towards completion
• Experience leading, mentoring or developing accountants
• Strong technical knowledge across business accounting and taxation
• Confidence using Xero and other cloud accounting systems.
• Experience with SMSFs, QBCC reporting, XPM, FYI or Ignition would be an advantage
• A proactive, commercially minded approach to solving problems
• A willingness to embrace technology, including AI-assisted processes
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex financial matters in everyday language
• Full Australian working rights

Most importantly, we want someone who cares about their clients, supports their team and wants to make a genuine difference.

A little more about us

Wardle Partners Accountants & Advisors has been helping Sunshine Coast businesses since 1982. But we’re not interested in being an accounting factory that simply processes tax returns.

Our purpose is to make our client's financial lives easier through smart advice, clarity and confidence so they can focus on what matters most.

We work with business owners who want more than someone to tell them what happened last year. They want an accountant who understands their business, helps them plan ahead and gives them confidence in their financial decisions.

We believe the same principles should apply to our team. Our values are built around being caring, empowering, excellent and positive. We encourage our people to share ideas, take ownership, continue learning and support each other. And while we take our work seriously, we believe it’s important to enjoy what we do along the way.

What else is on offer?

Along with the opportunity to build a rewarding long-term career, you’ll enjoy:

• Attractive remuneration package, negotiable based on experience
• One day per week working from home
• Ongoing professional development and CPD support
• Regular team events and celebrations
• An experienced and supportive team
• Modern office close to the beach
• Opportunities to contribute ideas and influence the future direction of the firm
• An exciting opportunity to progress towards partnership