Sr. AU Accountant / Bookkeeper

About this role

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…