Immediate Start

We’re looking for an experienced bookkeeper or finance professional who can take ownership of a finance function — not simply process transactions.

This is not an entry-level bookkeeping role. We’re looking for someone with substantial bookkeeping, or management accounting experience who is comfortable working independently, investigating problems and making sound decisions.

A significant part of the role will involve taking responsibility for the day-to-day finance function of one of our major clients, while also working across other clients within our portfolio.

You’ll manage day-to-day obligations and client queries, investigate issues, produce meaningful management reporting and work directly with clients to make sure their financial information is accurate, timely and useful.

The role would particularly suit an experienced bookkeeper, or someone who has previously worked as a Finance Manager or Management Accountant and still enjoys being hands-on, but is now looking for meaningful professional work with flexible working hours.

About us

First Class Accounts – Canberra Central is a nationally awarded bookkeeping and outsourced finance practice, CPA firm and registered BAS Agent, supporting businesses and not-for-profit organisations across Canberra and beyond. Our work goes well beyond transaction processing. We provide bookkeeping, payroll, BAS and IAS compliance, management and board reporting, systems and process improvement, and outsourced finance support.

We’re a small, experienced team. Our people are trusted to use their judgement, take ownership of their work and build strong relationships with their clients.

What you’ll be doing

A significant part of your role will be taking responsibility for one of our larger client finance functions, including:

- Taking ownership of day-to-day finance operations and being a key contact for the client
- Managing the month-end process from transaction processing through to reliable management accounts
- Preparing monthly management and board reporting, including reconciliations, variance analysis, investigation of unusual results and meaningful commentary
- Investigating and resolving complex reconciliation, transaction and data issues rather than simply identifying that something doesn’t balance
- Making sound judgements about transactions, coding and accounting processes, and knowing when an issue needs to be escalated




- Preparing and reviewing BAS, IAS, payroll, superannuation and associated reconciliations
- Working with data imports and information from multiple systems and ensuring the resulting financial information is complete and accurate
- Identifying inefficient or overly manual processes and helping us improve them
- Using Xero and connected applications to improve workflows, controls and reporting
- Supporting other client files and working collaboratively with our wider team

This is a hands-on role. You need to be equally comfortable investigating transactions and reconciliations, processing when required, analysing financial results and having a professional conversation with a client about what the numbers mean.

What we’re looking for

You’ll have substantial experience in bookkeeping, accounting or financial management and be comfortable working independently.

You’ll bring

- Strong Xero skills and a thorough understanding of how transactions flow through an accounting system
- Strong technology skills and the ability to quickly learn and confidently navigate unfamiliar systems and software
- Solid working knowledge of GST, PAYG withholding, payroll and superannuation obligations
- Robust month-end experience, including balance sheet reconciliations, journals, investigation and management reporting
- Strong Excel skills and confidence working with data, reconciliations and imports
- The ability to look at a set of accounts and recognise when something doesn’t make sense
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- A naturally curious approach — when something doesn’t look right, you investigate it rather than simply processing around it
- The confidence to make decisions, explain your reasoning and take responsibility for your work
- Clear, professional communication skills and the confidence to work directly with client management
- The ability to manage competing priorities without needing close supervision

Formal qualifications are valued, but sound judgement,



practical experience and the ability to take ownership are just as important to us.

Highly regarded

We’d particularly like to hear from you if you have:
- Previous experience as a Finance Manager or Management Accountant
- CPA, CA, ABA, ICB or similar professional membership or qualifications
- Experience working with not-for-profit organisations, including management or board reporting, grant acquittals and NFP-specific accounting issues
- Experience with complex payroll and award interpretation
- Xero certification
- Registered BAS Agent status, or an interest in becoming registered
- A tertiary qualification in accounting, finance or commerce

Hours

This is a part-time position. We anticipate approximately 30 hours per week. Whilst some flexibility in hours will be possible, core hours business hours (10-4 or 9-3) need to be covered.

There may occasionally be times around month-end or client deadlines when some additional availability is helpful, but we're looking for someone for whom school-hours work is a good long-term fit.

Why join us?

If you enjoy the problem-solving and hands-on side of finance but no longer want a traditional full-time Finance Manager role, or you're tired of doing it all on your own and would value being part of an experienced finance team, this is an opportunity to continue doing interesting and challenging work across a broad range of clients.

You’ll have

- Genuine ownership of your work and client relationships
- Interesting and varied finance work rather than repetitive transaction processing
- The opportunity to use your experience and judgement rather than simply follow a checklist
- Exposure to businesses and not-for-profit organisations across different industries
- A small, experienced and supportive team
- Ongoing professional development
- The opportunity to improve systems and processes as our practice continues to grow

Salary will be based on experience and qualifications.

How to apply

Please apply through SEEK only and include:

- A short cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why this role interests you; and
- Your current resume, limited to a maximum of three pages.

Your cover letter doesn’t need to be lengthy — we’re interested in understanding your experience, what you’re looking for in your next role, and why you think you’d be a good fit for our team. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

📌 Experienced Bookkeeper – Finance Manager Experience Highly Regarded (Belconnen)
🏢 First Class Accounts - Canberra Central
📍 Belconnen