Overview
A dedicated outsourced finance department for ambitious Australian businesses is looking for a tech-savvy, commercially minded Accountant to manage the full finance function across a varied portfolio of Australian SME clients.
This is not a traditional, passive data-entry bookkeeping role. You will take true ownership of clients' balance sheets and financial workflows, maintain day-to-day records in Xero, and step up to provide month-end management reporting, variance analysis, rolling cash flow forecasts, and proactive business insights.
Compensation: $2,000 - $3,000 AUD per month (Independent Contractor)
Work Schedule: Aligned with Australian business hours (9 AM - 5 PM, Monday to Friday)
Key Responsibilities
Full-Cycle Financial Accounting & Xero Management
- •Manage end-to-end accounting for a portfolio of clients using Xero
- •Perform daily transaction coding, bank reconciliations, and balance sheet reconciliations
- •Manage prepayments, accruals, depreciation schedules, and journal entries
- •Maintain clean charts of accounts tailored to each client's operational and reporting needs
- •Handle intercompany transactions, loan account reconciliations, and multi-entity eliminations
- •Oversee Accounts Payable (bill processing, approval workflows, payment batch runs) and Accounts Receivable (invoicing, debtor monitoring, collections support)
Month-End Close & Management Reporting
- •Lead rigorous month-end close processes within agreed turnaround times
- •Prepare comprehensive monthly management packs including Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, Budget vs. Actual variance analysis, and key operational KPIs
- •Write clear, plain-English commentary highlighting performance drivers, cost spikes, and margin risks
Cash Flow Forecasting & Advisory Support
- •Build, update, and maintain rolling 12-month three-way cash flow forecasts
- •Monitor working capital, identifying upcoming cash pinches and surplus funds
- •Support Fractional CFOs with scenario modelling (hiring impact, pricing adjustments, capital investments)
- •Present recommendations explaining the story behind the numbers
Payroll, Superannuation & Compliance
- •Process end-to-end client payrolls in Xero Payroll, ensuring compliance with Australian Modern Awards, Fair Work standards, and leave accruals
- •Manage Single Touch Payroll (STP Phase 2) reporting and annual finalisations
- •Reconcile and submit superannuation guarantee payments
- •Prepare and reconcile BAS/IAS working papers (GST, PAYG-W, PAYG-I) ready for agent review and lodgement
- •Prepare year-end workpaper files for handover to external registered tax agents
Systems, Workflow Automation & Tech Adoption
- •Implement modern tools and app integrations (e.g., Dext, Hubdoc, ApprovalMax, and other Xero add-ons)
- •Utilise AI tools to streamline financial analysis, commentary drafting, and workflow efficiency
- •Continuously refine internal operating procedures, checklists, and reporting templates
Required Skills and Qualifications
- •Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline
- •Professionally qualified or working towards a recognised accounting qualification
- •3-5+ years of accounting experience
- •Strong experience with Xero
- •Experience supporting Australian businesses and strong understanding of Australian accounting practices
- •Experience with BAS, GST, and Australian tax processes
- •Strong month-end reporting experience including Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet preparation
- •Strong Excel skills
- •Experience with cash flow forecasting
- •Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- •Excellent written and verbal English
- •Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
Highly Desirable
- •Experience across diverse SME sectors (professional services, e-commerce, trades & construction, SaaS, health)
- •Exposure to project accounting, job costing, or inventory management
- •Experience with third-party reporting and forecasting tools (e.g., Fathom, Spotlight Reporting, Calxa)
- •Practical experience applying generative AI tools to accounting workflows and documentation
Work Arrangement
This is a fully remote independent contractor engagement. Successful candidates will be expected to:
- •Be available for meetings and collaboration during core Australian/Philippine business hours
- •Disclose any existing ongoing roles or client work
- •Reflect this engagement on their LinkedIn profile (clearly marked as Independent Contractor)
