Senior Financial Accountant - Zoos Victoria

Zoos Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoos Victoria in Melbourne seeks a Senior Financial Accountant to deliver high-quality financial reporting, technical accounting and audit coordination. You will lead statutory statements and coordinate external audits, acting as the primary Finance contact for VAGO.

You will support month-end/year-end close, advise on AASB standards, and ensure GL integrity across P&L and balance sheet. This role also guides policy improvements and reporting controls within a purpose-driven organisation.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance or related discipline with CPA/CA or equivalent.
• Extensive experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting.
• Strong technical accounting expertise with AASB standards interpretation.
• Analytical ability, judgement and attention to detail for high quality reporting.
• Clear stakeholder engagement and ability to coach teammates.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and delivery of statutory financial statements and coordinate external audit with VAGO.
• Provide expert technical accounting advice and resolve complex issues.
• Coordinate month-end and year-end close and maintain General Ledger integrity.
• Manage government and regulatory reporting obligations and tax matters.
• Support policy development, controls, reporting practices and process improvements.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Education

Accounting degree or related discipline

CPA/CA or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Business Central

Job description

• Be Zoos Victoria's senior technical accounting specialist, providing expert advice and assurance across financial reporting, accounting standards and complex financial matters.
• Lead statutory financial reporting and external audit, including acting as the primary Finance contact for the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO).
• Take a key role in strengthening financial reporting, controls and practices across a complex and purpose-driven organisation.

Zoos Victoria operates four landmark zoos, Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Victoria's zoos are made up of passionate, energetic and driven employees committed to fighting wildlife extinction. Every person, from the extensive range of disciplines, plays an important role in helping the organisation realise its vision to become a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation.

The Senior Financial Accountant is responsible for delivering high-quality financial reporting, technical accounting and audit coordination for Zoos Victoria. Reporting to the Head of Finance, the role leads statutory financial statement preparation and external audit processes, coordinates month-end and year-end close, and provides expert advice on accounting standards and complex or judgement-based accounting matters. Working collaboratively with the Financial Accountants, you will take end-to-end responsibility for the integrity of the General Ledger, including Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet accounts, and support the ongoing development of financial policies, controls and reporting practices. The role also coordinates key government and regulatory reporting obligations, provides technical coaching across the Finance team and contributes to continuous improvement of financial systems, reporting and control frameworks.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Lead the preparation and delivery of statutory financial statements and coordinate external audit processes, including acting as the primary Finance contact for VAGO.
• Provide expert technical accounting advice, including interpretation and application of AASB standards and resolution of complex or judgement-based accounting matters.
• Coordinate month-end and year-end close processes and work with the Financial Accountants to maintain the integrity of the complete General Ledger.
• Manage key government, regulatory and compliance reporting obligations, including Victorian Government reporting, Standing Directions requirements and relevant taxation matters.
• Support the ongoing development of financial policies, controls, reporting practices and process improvements across the Finance function.

We are looking for an experienced financial accounting professional who brings:

• A tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline, together with CPA, CA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Extensive experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting, including preparing and reviewing financial statements and managing external audit processes.
• Strong technical accounting expertise, including the ability to interpret and apply AASB standards and resolve complex accounting and financial reporting issues.
• Strong analytical capability, professional judgement and attention to detail, with a commitment to accurate, high-quality financial reporting and effective financial controls.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear technical advice, work collaboratively across an organisation and coach other Finance team members.

Experience with Victorian Government financial reporting requirements, government or not-for-profit environments, and Microsoft Business Central or a similar ERP system will be highly regarded.

For more information on this role, please refer to the position description below.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Bradley Pilgrim [e-mail].

Applications close Monday 19th October 2026 at 5:00 PM.

At Zoos Victoria we value diversity, celebrate difference and work to be inclusive in everything we do. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability and people from the LGBTIQA+ community. In addition, Zoos Victoria will provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disability, illness or injury. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please advise via [e-mail] or visit https://www.zoo.org.au/about-us/careers/inclusion-and-diversity/ for more information.