Senior Manager

PAL Accounting & Advisory; Geelong; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership from day one

Career runway towards partnership

Flexibility and work-from-home options

Sign-on bonus

Relocation support if needed

Job summary

PAL Accounting & Advisory located in Geelong is seeking a Senior Manager to lead client relationships from day one. This role involves direct support to the Director, overseeing a team and managing a diverse client portfolio. Ideal candidates bring over 10 years of Australian public practice experience, with a driven and confident approach to leadership.

The role features strong potential for career progression, generous salary package, and a collaborative culture that supports work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Must be based in Australia with full working rights.
• Proven success managing people and portfolios.
• Confident in dealing with complex group tax matters.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of clients, being their go-to for advice.
• Provide clear advice on tax planning and structures.
• Leading workflow and ensuring quality outputs from the team.
• Involved in high-level advisory work such as forecasting.

Skills

CA/CPA qualified

10+ years’ experience in Australian public practice

2+ years managing people/workflow

Experience managing a diverse portfolio

Confident across complex tax matters

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Education

CA/CPA qualification

Job description

Tired of the grind and no growth? Ready for a shorter path to partnership with a life outside work intact? You may have just found your people.

PAL is growing fast and looking for a Senior Manager who’s ready to step into real leadership from day one.

This isn’t a “keep your head down and manage a portfolio” kind of role. You’ll have a seat at the leadership table, work directly with the Director as 2IC, lead from day one, and help shape the next stage of a growing, progressive practice.

This role is on a direct path to partner if that’s your thing.

Headquartered at the trendy end of Pakington Street, Newtown, PAL is an established Geelong accounting and advisory practice built on doing things differently - with heart. We’re serious about great advice, great people, and helping business owners win at life, without making accounting feel like a beige cardigan in PDF form.

This role is for someone with 10+ years in Australian public practice who’s a technical weapon, commercially sharp, good with people, and ready for more influence, autonomy, and opportunity.

If you’re done with the politics but still ambitious about your career, keep reading.

About the role

• Pull up a seat at the leadership table as our Senior Manager – Business Services & Tax.
• You’ll be the Director’s 2IC and a go-to for a solid portfolio of clients.
• You’ll lead a small team with integrity, think like an owner, and help raise the bar for others.

This role suits someone who’s confident in the technical, steady under pressure, energised by coaching others, and excited about the prospect of leading a growing practice.

Core responsibilities

• Looking after a group of clients and getting to know their businesses inside out. You’ll be their go-to person, not just for the numbers but for the bigger picture too.
• Giving clear advice on the tricky stuff like tax planning, structures, small business CGT, estate planning, and helping business clients make smart calls.
• Managing workflow, casting a sharp eye over work from team members to make sure it’s technically spot-on, on time, and actually useful not just word salad.
• Running advisory work like forecasting, board reports, strategy sessions, and mentoring clients through their next big moves.
• Backing your team through coaching, mentoring, and helping them grow into their next level.
• Getting involved in shaping where PAL is headed, from big picture strategy to the day-to-day tweaks that make things better even by 1%.

About the practice

• We’re a values-led, Geelong-based accounting and advisory firm helping small business owners win at life and the tax game.
• Are we a tax return mill where careers go to die? No way.
• Our work is dynamic and spans business advisory, tax planning, structuring, SMSF, and compliance. We go beyond box ticking.
• We actually care about building great businesses, lasting relationships, and a culture that feels good to be part of.

Ideal Qualifications

Must-haves:

• CA/CPA qualified
• 10+ years’ experience in Australian public practice
• 2+ years proven success managing people and/or workflow
• Experience managing a large and diverse portfolio of clients including partnerships, companies and trusts
• Confident across complex group tax matters
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and judgement
• Currently based in Australia with full working rights

Bonus points:

• Confident, approachable leadership style
• Ambitious go-getter/business-minded by nature
• Passion for mentoring and team development
• Strategic, big-picture thinker
• Someone who raises the energy, not just the issues
• Good banter, and pass the pub test

Benefits

• Leadership from day one: You’ll have a seat at the table and help shape how we grow.
• Director’s 2IC: Work directly with the Director and become a key person in the firm’s next chapter.
• Career runway: Clear pathway to equity/partner if that’s your goal.
• Autonomy and trust: We’re not interested in micromanaging good people. You’ll have room to lead.
• Real flexibility: Flex hours, WFH options, and a culture that supports having a life outside work.
• Sign-on bonus: Just to say we’re stoked to have you.
• Relocation support: Skip the commute and move to Geelong or the Surf Coast with a bit of help from us if needed.

Salary

$120K–$180K+ salary package negotiable based on experience and goals.

• Sign-on bonus
• Future partnership opportunities

Ready to connect?

Our People & Experience Manager, Katherine, is available for any questions.