Senior Manager

PAL Accounting & Advisory; Geelong; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct path to partnership

Leadership mentorship

Work with SME owners

Diverse SME portfolio

Hybrid and flexible options

6 weeks annual leave

Annual performance bonus

Development budget

Relocation support

Surfcoast lifestyle

Job summary

PAL Accounting & Advisory in Geelong is seeking a Senior Manager or Manager to own a diverse SME portfolio, lead a small team and work closely with the Director. You’ll have a seat at the leadership table, real autonomy and a clear path to partnership.

The role offers a hybrid and flexible working arrangement, 6 weeks annual leave, a performance-based bonus, and a $2K development budget. You’ll coach 1–2 accountants, mentor the next PAL leaders and help drive growth across tax, advisory and

Qualifications

• CA or CPA qualified or near completion.
• Approximately 7+ years in Australian public practice.
• Strong business services and tax experience across complex SME groups.
• Experience managing client relationships, portfolios and workflow.
• At least 2 years leading, coaching or managing accountants.
• Strong technical judgement across tax planning, structures, CGT, Division 7A and complex group matters.
• Based in Australia with full working rights.

Responsibilities

• Own a significant SME client portfolio.
• Advise across tax planning, structures, CGT, Division 7A, estate planning and advisory.
• Stay across WIP, billing, write-offs, capacity and opportunities to add value.
• Be the go-to 'rock' for clients.
• Own and coach a small team of accountants (1-2 direct reports within 12 months).
• Delegate well, hold the standard, keep workflow moving and on point.
• Give clear feedback and help people step up.
• Work alongside our Director, step up when needed.
• Have a say in how PAL operates, grows and improves.
• Bring ideas, make good calls and help turn them into action.

Skills

Client relationship management

Leadership & coaching

Tax planning & advisory

Portfolio management

Billing & WIP management

Australian working rights

People management

Education

CA or CPA qualified

Job description

Path to Partner, Seat at the Leadership Table, Annual Bonuses + Sign on Bonus, 6 weeks annual leave. Sound good? This might be your next role.

We're hiring our next Senior Manager or Manager: A business services and tax weapon to own a diverse SME portfolio, lead a small team and work shoulder-to-shoulder with our Director, Marc.

You’ll have a seat at the leadership table, real autonomy and a clear path to partnership if that’s where you want to go.

The perks of this role:

• Direct path to partnership (if that's on your vision board)
• A seat at the leadership table with regular partner-level mentorship
• Work directly with business owners and SMEs on the juicy stuff
• Diverse SME portfolio to own and grow
• Freedom to run it - hybrid and flexible options
• 6 weeks paid annual leave
• Annual performance-based bonus on top of a competitive salary
• $2K personal and professional development budget
• A down-to-earth team in the heart of Pako, Newtown
• Relocation support if you're moving for the role (and great Surfcoast lifestyle)

What you'll own (responsibilities)

In a nutshell - run a portfolio like an owner, build the next generation of PAL leaders and play a key role on the Leadership Team driving how the business grows.

• Own a significant SME client portfolio
• Advise across tax planning, structures, CGT, Division 7A, estate planning and advisory
• Stay across WIP, billing, write-offs, capacity and opportunities to add value
• Be the go-to 'rock' for clients.

2.Build great people

• Lead and coach a small team of accountants (1-2 direct reports within 12 months)
• Delegate well, hold the standard, keep workflow moving and on point
• Give clear feedback and help people step up

3.Help lead PAL

• Work alongside our Director, step up when needed
• Have a say in how PAL operates, grows and improves
• Bring ideas, make good calls and help turn them into action

Why you'll like it here:

PAL is a boutique Geelong accounting and advisory firm built around a simple idea: do great work, grow fast and do it with good people.

We work closely with SME owners on the stuff that actually matters. Tax planning, structuring, advisory, SMSF and some beautifully completed compliance jobs because, sadly, the ATO remains a thing.

At PAL you get the freedom to work like an adult. Start early, duck out when you need to, WFH options. (We care about outcomes, not clock-watching)

You’ll work with good humans who give a sh*t about the work (and pass the pub test).

A-players (like you) get the trust and freedom to own their role, get great outcomes and make work fit sustainably around life.

What you’ll bring:

The important stuff

• CA or CPA qualified or near completion
• ~7+ years in Australian public practice
• Strong Business Services & Tax experience across complex SME groups
• Proven experience managing client relationships, portfolios and workflow
• At least 2 years leading, coaching or managing accountants
• Strong technical judgement across tax planning, structures, CGT, Division 7A and complex group matters
• Currently based in Australia with full working rights

And just as importantly

• Low ego, high standards
• You genuinely like people
• Commercially minded and solid decision-maker
• Confident with clients and good at building relationships
• Genuinely enjoys coaching people
• Takes ownership and follows things through
• Brings solutions and ideas, not just a beautifully formatted list of problems

Recap of what you'll get:

• $120k–$160k+ base, aligned to experience and responsibility
• Annual performance bonus (uncapped, tied to impact)
• 6 weeks paid annual leave
• Sign-on bonus for direct hires (i.e. no recruiter)
• Direct mentorship from the Director + clear path to equity / partnership
• Freedom to own your role (flex start + finish times/WFH options)

Salary Package:

$120K to $160K base + super

+ Sign on bonus

+ Annual performance bonuses (uncapped, commensurate to commercial impact)

** At the top of the range, total year-one earning potential exceeds $190k excl. super

We welcome applications from strong Seniors through to Associate Director-level candidates, with the scope of the role, remit, and salary package tailored to you.

So, are you an A-player ready for a bigger seat?

** All enquiries are confidential. We know the industry is small.

We aim to respond to every application within 48 hours.