Senior Accountant

Our client is a well-established, privately owned Australian business operating in the recycling sector. With a group structure and a growth mindset, we pride ourselves on operational excellence and a hands-on, collaborative finance function.

On a six-month contract, we're looking for an experienced Senior Accountant to take ownership of two critical areas of our finance function: weekly payroll processing and our year-end audit process — with capacity to support broader accounting tasks in between.

Reporting to the Finance Manager, this is a hands-on, standalone role suited to someone who wants genuine ownership and the autonomy to shape how things are done — not just follow the way it's always been. Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Review timesheets and process weekly payroll (approx. 100 employees) in Employment Hero
• Apply award interpretation rules across a business with 24-hour operations
• Work closely with the Finance Manager for payrun review and sign-off
• Finalise year-end balances and prepare audit workpapers across approximately 10 entities, audited on a consolidated basis
• Perform account reconciliations and apply relevant accounting standards (including AASB 16/IFRS 16, employee entitlements, and other standard treatments)
• Act as the primary point of contact with our external auditors once audit-ready
• Bring fresh eyes to our audit process — this is only our third year of audit, and we're looking to mature and streamline our workpapers and approach
• Assist with broader accounting tasks and ad hoc projects as capacity allows

The successful candidate will have:

• Solid experience with QuickBooks, MYOB, Xero, or similar accounting software
• Employment Hero experience highly regarded but not essential
• Strong working knowledge of accounting standards (e.g. AASB 16/IFRS 16, Employee Entitlements)
• Consolidation and full trial balance experience
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial, or heavy processing environments highly regarded
• A proactive, independent operator who can identify and drive process improvements, not just execute existing processes
• Comfortable being the primary liaison with external auditors

For more information, please contract Greta Shelton at gshelton@sharpandcarter.com.au