Senior Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Direct path to partnership

Leadership mentorship with Directors

Hybrid work model and flexible options

6 weeks paid annual leave

Profit share model

$2k PD budget

Sign-on bonus

Relocation support and surf coast life

Job summary

PAL Accounting and Advisory is seeking a Senior Manager or Manager to own a diverse SME portfolio and lead a small team in Geelong. You will work closely with the Director to shape growth strategies and have a clear path to partnership.

You'll enjoy leadership mentorship, a hybrid work model, and a profit-share structure alongside a competitive base salary.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Run a portfolio like a business and drive growth.
• Lead and coach a small team of accountants (1-2 direct reports).
• Collaborate with the Director to shape PAL's operations and strategy.
• Maintain client relationships and ensure high-quality service.
• Monitor WIP, billing, and opportunities to add value.
• Play a key role on the Leadership Team.

Skills

Client leadership

People management

Coaching

Business advisory

Relationship management

Education

CA or CPA qualified or near completion

7+ years in Australian public practice

Job description

Path to Partner, Seat at the Leadership Table, Profit Share Model + 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
• Profit share model on top of a competitive salary
• $2K personal and professional development budget
• Sign-on bonus for direct hires
• 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.

1. Run your portfolio like a business

• 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
• Sign-on bonus for direct hires (i.e. no recruiter)
• Profit share model
• 6 weeks paid annual leave
• $2k PD budget
• 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

+ Profit share model

At the top of the range, total year-one earning potential exceeds $200k incl. 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.

Pete, Marc & the team at PAL

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