Tax Accountant (Australian Public Practice)

**About the Company**

Our client is a growing Australian accounting and advisory firm that specialises in supporting small to medium-sized businesses, family groups, and high-net-worth individuals. The firm provides tax compliance, business advisory, and accounting services, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality outcomes through a collaborative onshore and offshore team model.

**Job Overview**

The Tax Accountant will be responsible for preparing tax compliance work, financial statements, and advisory support documentation for Australian family groups and SME clients. Working closely with Australian-based accountants and client managers, this role requires strong technical knowledge of Australian taxation, trust structures, Div 7A, CGT, and small business concessions. The successful candidate will produce review-ready workpapers, maintain high levels of accuracy, and support multiple client engagements within a structured public practice environment.

Key Responsibilities

**Tax Compliance**

• Prepare income tax returns for individuals, trusts, companies, partnerships, and family group structures.
• Prepare annual trust distribution minutes and resolutions.
• Assist with Div 7A loan calculations, agreements, and compliance requirements.
• Prepare BAS, IAS, and GST workpapers.
• Support FBT return preparation and compliance reporting.
• Assist with STP reconciliations, PAYG withholding, and payroll-related tax compliance.
• Prepare payroll tax and land tax compliance workpapers where required.
• Support ASIC annual review requirements and company register maintenance.

**Tax Advisory Support**

• Prepare tax planning workpapers and year-end planning schedules.
• Assist with trust distribution modelling and income allocation analysis.
• Support CGT calculations, cost base adjustments, and concession assessments.
• Prepare workpapers relating to small business concessions and restructuring transactions.
• Identify potential tax risks and technical issues for review by senior accountants.
• Assist with Div 7A, UPE, and trust compliance reviews.

**Client & Team Support**

• Work closely with Australian accountants, managers, and advisors to deliver client outcomes.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and well-documented workpapers.
• Communicate proactively regarding missing information, queries, and technical matters.
• Participate in workflow planning and team collaboration activities.
• Review and support work completed by junior team members where required.

**Systems & Practice Management**

• Maintain accurate job tracking and workflow records.
• Work within practice management systems and tax lodgement platforms.
• Ensure compliance with internal quality control procedures and documentation standards.
• Contribute to process improvements and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Key Requirements

• CA ANZ or CPA Australia qualified, or currently in the final stages of completion.

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience within Australian public practice accounting.

• Demonstrated experience preparing tax returns across multiple entity types.

• Strong knowledge of discretionary trusts, family group structures, and SME taxation.

• Solid understanding of Div 7A, CGT, trust distributions, and small business concessions.

• Experience preparing BAS, IAS, and financial statements for Australian entities.

• Strong understanding of Australian taxation legislation and compliance requirements.

• Excellent attention to detail and documentation skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills suitable for working with Australian teams.

• Ability to manage multiple client files and deadlines simultaneously.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Registered Tax Agent or actively working towards Tax Agent registration.

• Experience with Section 100A trust distribution rules.

• Exposure to business restructuring and rollover relief provisions.

• Experience reviewing work completed by junior accountants.

• Knowledge of payroll tax, land tax, and FBT compliance.

Systems & Software

• Xero

• CCH iFirm

• HandiSoft

• APS

• Xero Practice Manager

• Karbon

• ATO Online Services for Agents

• Microsoft Excel