About

Employment Type Full time, permanent
Base Salary 180,000 to 220,000 Australian dollars, negotiable, plus superannuation

The company is one of the largest waterproofing and remediation companies in Victoria, delivering complex commercial and infrastructure projects. The business is expanding, with growing operational complexity and increasing investment in systems and technology. As part of this growth, the company is strengthening its internal finance function with a senior accounting appointment.

The Opportunity
The company is seeking an experienced full-time Group Accountant to lead and modernise the finance function. This role is suited to a hands on, commercially minded senior accountant who enjoys building structure, improving processes and working directly with business owners.
You will oversee financial reporting, compliance, project and job costing, treasury and cash flow, as well as providing clear financial insights to support decision making and planning. The role reports directly to the Directors.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management and Compliance
• Lead the full financial accounting function including month end, quarter end and year end close processes
• Prepare accurate and timely financial and management reports for the Directors
• Manage intercompany accounting including inter entity trading, loan accounts and associated accounting requirements
• Ensure compliance with Australian taxation and regulatory obligations including BAS, GST, PAYG, FBT and income tax
• Oversee the general ledger, chart of accounts and reconciliations, maintaining integrity of financial data
• Coordinate with external accountants, tax advisers and auditors, including preparation of workpapers for statutory accounts and tax returns
• Develop and maintain finance policies, procedures and internal controls appropriate for a growing construction and remediation group

Project Accounting and Contract Oversight
• Design and manage project and job costing frameworks for contracts, including tracking work in progress, margins and profitability
• Maintain cost centre and job level reporting to support operational management
• Create and maintain a cost accounting system that aligns with relevant accounting standards and separates projects across subsidiaries and divisions in a consistent way
• Work with operational and technology teams so that project information and financial controls are captured correctly in systems
Cash Flow and Treasury
• Prepare and maintain short, medium and long term cash flow forecasts, including a rolling thirteen week cash flow model aligned to project delivery and billing schedules
• Manage working capital including debtor collections, creditor terms, inventory purchasing and subcontractor payments
• Monitor bank facilities, finance leases and other funding arrangements, including covenant reporting and utilisation
• Provide recommendations to the Directors on funding requirements, capital expenditure and liquidity management to support growth and control risk

Strategic Advisory and Systems
• Provide financial and commercial advice to the Directors on business performance, group structure, pricing, margins and profitability improvement
• Manage ledgers and documentation for research and development and research and development tax incentive claims, including tracking eligible project costs, schedules, timesheets and supporting records
• Drive process improvement and automation across financial reporting, forecasting, accounts payable, accounts receivable and job costing
• Prepare annual budgets, forecasts and scenario analysis to support operational and strategic planning
• Contribute to risk management including assessment of financial, contractual and group structure risks, and recommend mitigation strategies in consultation with tax and legal advisers
• Support financial analysis and due diligence for acquisitions and other strategic transactions
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
• Chartered Accountant or Certified Practising Accountant or equivalent
• At least eight to ten years of experience in accounting and finance, including several years in a senior role
• Experience in construction, engineering or other project based industries is highly regarded
• Demonstrated capability in financial and management reporting at senior level
• Strong skills in Xero and advanced skills in Excel and reporting tools
• Proven ability to work directly with business owners and Directors, explain financial information clearly and support strategic decision making
• Experience in organisations that have undergone transformation or strong growth is desirable
• Banking or finance experience is considered an advantage
• Understanding of the commercial environment in the Asia Pacific region is beneficial