Senior Accountant

Up Education; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary aligned to experience

Annual salary review

Training and development

Energising team & growth

Job summary

UP Education is a leading Australasian dual-sector education group financing the international student-focused colleges in Australia. The Senior Accountant will manage month-end close, balance sheet integrity and revenue recognition while guiding a small transactional finance team.

Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of financial accounting, CA/CPA preferred, strong Excel skills and knowledge of GST, BAS and FBT. This role emphasizes process improvements and collaboration with college leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of financial accounting experience.
• Hands-on accountant with strong technical accounting skills.
• Experience leading a small transactional finance team is desirable.
• Knowledge of Australian GST, BAS and FBT requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the transactional finance team across AP/AR with strong financial controls.
• Coordinate month-end close and prepare monthly management accounts and P&L analysis.
• Maintain balance sheet integrity through reconciliations, journals, accruals and prepayments.
• Oversee revenue recognition and reconcile student/enrolment data to financial records.
• Support audits, tax and compliance including GST, BAS, FBT and financial statements.
• Partner with finance and college leadership to improve reporting and automate processes.

Skills

Financial accounting

Month-end close

Balance sheet reconciliations

P&L analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

CA/CPA preferred

Tools

Advanced Excel

Job description

UP Education is a leading Australasian dual-sector education group, delivering foundation, vocational and higher education to domestic and international students. At UP Education, we are on a mission: to elevate and empower students to unlock their potential. Known for our agility, and responsiveness to the changing world.

Reporting to the Finance Director, the Senior Accountant is responsible for the financial accounting and reporting of UP Education’s international student-focused colleges in Australia. The role oversees month-end close, balance sheet integrity, revenue recognition and compliance, while providing day-to-day leadership to the transactional finance team and driving improvements in financial controls, reporting and processes.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting the transactional finance team across accounts payable and receivable, ensuring accurate, timely processing and effective financial controls.
• Coordinating the month-end close process and preparing monthly management accounts, P&L analysis and financial commentary to support reporting.
• Maintaining balance sheet integrity through reconciliations, journal entries, accruals and prepayments, investigating discrepancies and resolving outstanding items.
• Overseeing revenue recognition and reconciling student and enrolment data to financial records.
• Supporting audits, tax and compliance, including Australian GST, BAS, FBT and financial statements
• Partnering with Finance and college leadership to strengthen financial processes, improve reporting and implement efficiencies through automation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a hands‑on, technically strong accountant with a solid foundation in financial accounting, strong analytical skills and experience leading a small transactional finance team.

You will bring:

• At least 5years of financial accounting experience, with a recognised accounting qualification (CA/CPA preferred).
• Strong technical accounting skills, including month‑end close, balance sheet reconciliations, general ledger management and P&L analysis.
• Experience supervising a small transactional finance team and managing high‑volume transactions.
• Knowledge of Australian GST, BAS and FBT requirements.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to improve financial reporting, processes and controls.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with sound judgement, attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem‑solving.

*Experience in the higher education or vocational education sector is advantageous but not essential.

Additional Information

The successful applicant will be subject to a Ministry of Justice Check.

Why work with us?

• Salary is aligned to experience & reviewed annually
• Supportive team environment with ongoing commitment to your training and development
• Fantastic opportunity to be part of an energising team and growing company

Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuringwe’reattracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students.

We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.