Bookkeeper & Business Administrator

Smith & Smith Kitchens is a long-established, up-market, family-owned cabinetmaking business based in Rowville.

After 10 years with us, our bookkeeper is retiring, so we are looking for an experienced person to become an important part of our team.

The bookkeeping side of the role will include day-to-day bookkeeping duties, using Xero, together with the usual payroll, accounts and financial administration associated with running a busy business.

Just as importantly, we are looking for someone who is happy to get involved in the broader administration of the business.

We don't have rigid departmental boundaries and we don't particularly want them. Our administration team works closely together, and people tend to help wherever their experience and ability can make a difference.

Depending on your strengths and interests, that could include customer and supplier communication, job administration, scheduling, purchasing, installation or service coordination, spreadsheets, reporting, improving systems, assisting prospective clients who visit our showroom, or simply helping solve whatever needs solving that day.

Because our showroom is attached to our main office, the role will also involve welcoming prospective clients, answering initial questions, helping them find the information they need and making sure they are connected with the right person.

You certainly don't need to be a kitchen designer or salesperson, but you should be comfortable dealing with people and representing the business well.

You will need to be an experienced and confident bookkeeper, ideally with strong Xero skills, but we're just as interested in the type of person you are.

We'd like someone who:

• is organised, accurate and dependable;

• has good judgement and common sense;

• is comfortable working independently;

• enjoys understanding how the whole business operates;

• communicates well with customers, suppliers and the people around them;

• is confident and welcoming with prospective clients;

• notices when something doesn't look right;

• is happy to ask questions and contribute ideas;

• is comfortable helping outside a narrowly defined job description; and

• is interested in improving the way things are done.

Experience in manufacturing, construction, trades or another practical project-based business would be useful, but it isn't essential.

Smith & Smith Kitchens has been manufacturing custom kitchens and cabinetry in Melbourne for more than 40 years.

We are still family owned and run, and although the business has grown considerably, we try to retain the way a smaller family business works.

Our staff work with us rather than for us. We value people who take ownership, contribute their experience and are comfortable making decisions within their area rather than waiting for instructions.

There isn't a hierarchy of managers looking over people's shoulders. We prefer open communication, trust and people working together to get the right result.

Quality is important to us — not just in what we manufacture, but in the way we deal with our customers, suppliers and each other.

We use Xero, Microsoft 365 and a number of industry-specific systems.

We are also gradually introducing more automation and AI into the business to reduce repetitive administration and make people's jobs easier.

You certainly don't need to be an AI expert, but an interest in technology and improving processes would be welcomed.

This is a full-time, on-site position based at our Rowville factory, showroom and offices.

Because the role combines bookkeeping with broader business administration and assisting clients in our showroom, it is a hands-on position that forms part of the day-to-day operation of the business.

We're looking for someone interested in becoming a long-term part of the team rather than simply filling a bookkeeping position.

Please send us your resume together with a short note introducing yourself.

We'd particularly like to hear a little about the type of role you enjoy, what you're good at, and what you're looking for in your next workplace.

If you are an experienced bookkeeper who likes variety, enjoys being trusted to get on with things and wants to work as part of a close-knit business, we'd be very happy to hear from you.