Job Description

Sr. Australian Accountant / Senior Bookkeeper

Location: Remote / Work from Home
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Australian Accounting and Professional Services
Experience: Minimum 5 years' Australian experience
Essential Software: Xero

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Australian Accountant / Senior Bookkeeper to manage end-to-end bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, BAS compliance and tax-preparation support for Australian businesses.

This is a hands-on role requiring strong knowledge of Australian accounting practices, GST, BAS, payroll, superannuation and ATO compliance.

The successful candidate must have at least five years' Australian accounting or bookkeeping experience and advanced practical experience using Xero

Candidates without five years' Australian experience and strong Xero skills will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

Bookkeeping and General Accounting

• Manage end-to-end bookkeeping for Australian clients.
• Maintain accurate general ledgers and supporting records.
• Record journals, accruals, prepayments and depreciation.
• Perform daily, weekly and monthly bank reconciliations in Xero.
• Reconcile credit cards, loans, payroll and clearing accounts.
• Maintain fixed-asset registers.
• Investigate and correct accounting discrepancies.
• Manage multiple entities and client files.
• Support month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Maintain complete and accurate supporting documentation.

Accounts Payable

• Enter, code and process supplier invoices.
• Match invoices against purchase orders and supporting documentation.
• Manage supplier bills and approval workflows in Xero.
• Prepare supplier payment runs.
• Reconcile supplier statements.
• Investigate and resolve supplier discrepancies.
• Monitor outstanding bills and payment schedules.
• Maintain accurate supplier information.
• Assist with cash-flow planning and payment prioritisation.

Accounts Receivable

• Prepare and issue customer invoices and credit notes.
• Allocate customer payments accurately.
• Reconcile customer accounts.
• Monitor outstanding debtors and overdue invoices.
• Prepare aged-receivables reports.
• Follow up customers regarding overdue accounts.
• Assist with credit control and debt collection.
• Maintain customer payment terms and account information.
• Provide management with regular debtor updates.

BAS, GST and ATO Compliance

• Prepare monthly and quarterly BAS working papers.
• Reconcile GST collected and GST paid.
• Review GST coding and correct processing errors.
• Prepare IAS and PAYG instalment information.
• Assist with BAS and IAS lodgements under appropriate supervision.
• Reconcile integrated client accounts and income tax accounts.
• Maintain accurate records supporting ATO reporting requirements.
• Assist with ATO correspondence and payment-plan reconciliations.
• Identify potential compliance issues and escalate them promptly.
• Ensure lodgement workpapers are complete, accurate and properly supported.

Payroll and Superannuation

• Process weekly, fortnightly and monthly payroll using Xero Payroll.
• Manage wages, allowances, deductions, bonuses and commissions.
• Process Single Touch Payroll reporting.
• Calculate leave accruals and employee entitlements.
• Process new starters and employee terminations.
• Calculate and process superannuation contributions.
• Assist with payroll tax and workers' compensation reconciliations.
• Interpret modern awards and Australian payroll requirements.
• Reconcile payroll, PAYG withholding and superannuation accounts.
• Maintain accurate employee and payroll records.

Tax and Year-End Support

• Prepare accounting files and workpapers for tax returns.
• Assist with individual, sole trader, partnership, trust and company tax preparation.
• Prepare profit and loss statements and balance sheets.
• Complete balance-sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare supporting schedules for accountants and tax agents.
• Assist with year-end adjustments and financial statements.
• Review client records for missing information and unusual transactions.
• Prepare depreciation, loan, motor vehicle and other supporting schedules.
• Liaise with accountants and clients to resolve outstanding queries.
• Ensure files are complete and ready for tax review.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly management reports.
• Produce profit and loss, balance-sheet and cash-flow reports.
• Prepare budget-versus-actual reports.
• Assist with budgets and cash-flow forecasts.
• Identify unusual movements, errors and financial risks.
• Provide clear commentary on significant account variances.
• Customise Xero reports based on management requirements.
• Deliver accurate reports within agreed deadlines.

Client Management

• Communicate directly with Australian clients regarding their accounts.
• Request missing records and follow up outstanding information.
• Respond professionally to bookkeeping, payroll and account queries.
• Explain financial information clearly to non-accounting clients.
• Manage multiple client deadlines and priorities.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive financial information.
• Develop professional and reliable client relationships.
• Provide regular progress and exception reports to management.

Xero Responsibilities

The successful candidate must be confident independently performing the following in Xero:

• Setting up organisations and maintaining chart-of-account structures.
• Managing bank feeds and bank reconciliations.
• Processing supplier bills and customer invoices.
• Managing accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Processing payroll and Single Touch Payroll.
• Reviewing GST reports and preparing BAS workpapers.
• Processing manual journals.
• Managing tracking categories.
• Reconciling balance-sheet accounts.
• Preparing month-end and year-end reports.
• Managing fixed assets.
• Investigating and correcting processing errors.
• Customising financial and management reports.
• Using Xero files across multiple clients and business structures.
• Integrating Xero with supporting bookkeeping and payment applications.

Mandatory Requirements

• Minimum five years' Australian accounting or bookkeeping experience
• Minimum five years' hands-on Xero experience
• Advanced Xero bookkeeping, payroll and reporting skills.
• Strong practical experience across AP, AR, BAS, GST, payroll and tax support.
• Sound knowledge of Australian accounting and ATO requirements.
• Experience preparing BAS and IAS working papers.
• Strong understanding of GST, PAYG withholding and superannuation.
• Experience with Australian month-end and year-end processes.
• Ability to complete reconciliations and identify discrepancies independently.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong attention to detail and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple Australian client files.
• Ability to meet strict Australian reporting and lodgement deadlines.
• Reliable internet connection and a suitable remote-working environment.

Preferred Qualifications

One or more of the following will be highly regarded:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or Commerce.
• CPA or CA qualification, or currently working towards one.
• Registered BAS Agent experience.
• Australian bookkeeping or payroll qualifications.
• Xero Advisor Certification.
• Xero Payroll Certification.
• Experience working within an Australian accounting practice.

Additional Software Experience

Experience with the following will be highly regarded:

• Xero Practice Manager
• MYOB
• QuickBooks Online
• Dext
• Hubdoc
• Microsoft Excel
• Australian tax software
• ATO Online Services
• Practice-management systems
• Document-management platforms

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be measured against:

• Accuracy of bookkeeping and reconciliations.
• Timely completion of AP and AR responsibilities.
• Completion of BAS, payroll and reporting deadlines.
• Accuracy of Xero records and coding.
• Number and severity of processing errors.
• Quality of tax and year-end workpapers.
• Debtor collection and aged-receivables performance.
• Client responsiveness and communication.
• Ability to manage multiple client files independently.
• Compliance with Australian accounting and record-keeping requirements.

Ideal Candidate

You are a reliable, accurate and commercially aware accountant or senior bookkeeper with genuine Australian experience.

You are an advanced Xero user who can take ownership of client files, identify discrepancies, complete reconciliations and prepare clean workpapers without constant supervision.

You understand that accuracy, compliance, confidentiality and deadlines are non-negotiable.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV outlining:

• Your total years of Australian accounting experience.
• Your total years of hands-on Xero experience.
• Your experience across AP, AR, BAS, GST, payroll and tax.
• The Australian industries and clients you have supported.
• Your experience managing month-end and year-end processes.
• Your accounting and Xero qualifications.
• Examples of Australian bookkeeping, BAS and tax-support work completed.

Candidates without at least five years' Australian accounting or bookkeeping experience and advanced Xero skills will not be considered.