Accountant / Client Accountant

Sydney | Full-time | 1–2 Years’ Public Practice Experience Preferred

ATF Advisory is a Sydney-based accounting and advisory firm supporting privately owned businesses, companies, trusts, family groups, investors and high-net-worth clients.

We are seeking a motivated and growth-minded Junior Accountant / Client Accountant with approximately one to two years of accounting experience, preferably within an Australian public practice firm.

This role is suited to someone who has already developed basic accounting and tax preparation skills and is now looking for greater exposure to clients, business advisory, workflow coordination and long-term career development.

The successful candidate should be comfortable using Xero and interested in developing beyond a purely production-based accounting role.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the preparation of financial statements, income tax returns and business activity statements;

• Preparing workpapers, reconciliations, depreciation schedules and supporting documentation;

• Working with companies, trusts, individuals and privately owned businesses;

• Using Xero to review client accounting records, identify issues and prepare accounts for completion;

• Communicating with clients to request information and clarify routine accounting matters;

• Maintaining accurate client records, meeting notes and workflow updates;

• Assisting senior team members with client meetings and follow-up actions;

• Coordinating information between clients, internal accountants and outsourced production resources;

• Monitoring job progress, deadlines and outstanding information;

• Identifying unusual transactions, incomplete records and matters requiring escalation;

• Assisting with tax-planning, structuring and business-advisory projects;

• Supporting the improvement of internal checklists, templates and work processes.

As your capability develops, you will have the opportunity to:

• Manage day-to-day communication for a small portfolio of clients;

• Participate actively in client meetings;

• Explain routine accounting and taxation matters to clients;

• Coordinate work completed by outsourced or junior team members;

• Assist with new-client onboarding;

• Develop commercial awareness and advisory skills;

• Progress towards a Senior Client Accountant or Client Manager position.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Approximately one to two years of accounting experience;

• Experience in an Australian public practice accounting firm preferred;

• Practical experience using Xero;

• Exposure to financial statement and income tax return preparation;

• Basic knowledge of Australian taxation and business services;

• A relevant degree in accounting, commerce or a related discipline;

• Eligibility to commence or continue the CA or CPA program;

• Strong verbal and written communication skills;

• Confidence communicating with clients by telephone and email;

• Good organisation, follow-up and time-management skills;

• A willingness to accept responsibility, feedback and ongoing development;

• Strong attention to detail;

• An interest in understanding how clients’ businesses operate;

• The ability to work collaboratively with local and outsourced team members;

• Australian working rights.

Experience with Xero Practice Manager, Xero Tax, MYOB AE, APS or similar public practice software would be highly regarded.

Mandarin language skills would also be highly regarded but are not essential.

We are looking for someone who:

• Wants to build a long-term career in public practice;

• Enjoys communicating with clients as well as working with numbers;

• Is willing to take ownership of assigned work;

• Follows up matters rather than waiting to be reminded;

• Is curious and willing to ask thoughtful questions;

• Responds positively to coaching and constructive feedback;

• Understands when a matter needs to be escalated;

• Wants to develop into a client-facing accountant or adviser;

• Is comfortable working in a team-based and technology-enabled environment.

• Structured training in accounting, taxation and client service;

• Direct exposure to experienced client managers and advisers;

• Early participation in client meetings;

• Practical experience working with companies, trusts and family groups;

• Support towards CA or CPA studies;

• Regular coaching and performance feedback;

• Exposure to business advisory and tax-planning projects;

• Experience coordinating work across local and outsourced teams;

• Increasing client responsibility as your skills develop;

• Competitive remuneration based on experience;

• Formal salary and career-development reviews;

• A clear pathway towards Senior Client Accountant and Client Manager roles.

The intended development pathway is:

Junior Accountant / Client Accountant
→ Senior Client Accountant
→ Assistant Client Manager
→ Client Manager

Progression will be based on demonstrated capability rather than length of service alone.

Performance and development will be assessed across:

• Technical accuracy;

• Xero and systems capability;

• Client communication;

• Reliability and ownership;

• Workflow and deadline management;

• Professional judgment;

• Ability to identify and escalate risks;

• Commercial awareness;

• Team contribution;

• Commitment to professional development.

Please submit your resume together with a short cover letter outlining:

• Your accounting and public practice experience;

• Your experience using Xero;

• The types of financial statements and tax returns you have prepared;

• Your experience communicating with clients;

• An example of when you took ownership of a task or problem; and

• What you hope to achieve professionally over the next three years.

All applications will be treated confidentially.