Driving the Future of Professional Services in Northern Australia
KAS Accounting Solutions is not your traditional accounting firm. Founded on a commitment to excellence and a passion for the unique business landscape of Northern Australia, we have spent the last several years on a trajectory of unprecedented growth. With a team of 40 dedicated professionals across Darwin, Katherine, and Kununurra, we have achieved a sustained 20% year-on-year expansion by prioritising client empowerment and embracing modern, system-led solutions.
The Opportunity
This is a \"Founding CEO\" mandate designed for an operational architect who thrives on scaling businesses. Reporting directly to the Executive Chair, you will assume full responsibility for the firm's \"engine room,\" professionalising our infrastructure and unifying our multi-site operations. Your mission is to take a successful, founder-led practice and evolve it into a sustainable corporate governance model that can support our continued regional expansion.
This is a unique leadership dynamic. You will lead a high-performing team of Division Directors and Managers-including the Founder in her capacity as Business Services Director—to ensure operational excellence across the firm. While our core business is accounting and advisory, this is fundamentally an operational leadership role. You will be tasked with championing digital transformation, optimising workflows, and ensuring that our commercial performance matches our reputation for client excellence.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a leader who is strategic enough to set a three-year vision but grounded enough to solve day-to-day operational bottlenecks. You might not be an accountant, but you are a master of professional services management. Whether your background is in Law, Engineering, Finance, Health or Consulting, you understand the nuances of billable environments, utilisation rates, and the importance of mentoring a large graduate cohort.
The successful candidate will be a high-EQ communicator capable of navigating the unique sensitivities of a founder-to-CEO transition. You will need the professional maturity to manage senior subject matter experts and equity partners, providing the operational leadership that allows them to focus on their technical specialties. Resilience is key—you must be ready to embrace the unique rhythm of life and business in Northern Australia and be willing to travel across our regional sites to ensure a \"One Firm\" approach.
Key Selection Criteria
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:
* Executive Leadership: Proven experience as a CEO, GM, or COO within professional services environment.
* Operational Scaling: A track record of professionalising systems and processes during periods of rapid, double-digit growth.
* Stakeholder Management: The ability to influence and lead senior subject matter experts and partners, including those in a dual-role reporting structure.
* Multi-Site Oversight: Experience managing geographically dispersed teams across regional or remote locations.
* Commercial Acumen: Strong financial literacy with full P&L accountability and a focus on margin optimisation.
* High Emotional Intelligence: Experience leading cultural change and navigating the nuances of founder-led business transitions.
The Rewards
Based in the vibrant tropical capital of Darwin, this role offers a competitive base salary of $250,000 + Super. We provide comprehensive relocation assistance to help you and your family settle into the Northern Territory, along with access to company vehicles for regional travel.
This is more than a job; it is an invitation to leave a lasting legacy in one of the most successful professional services firms in the North.
How to Apply
Before applying, we strongly encourage you to download the comprehensive candidate information pack. This pack contains the detailed Position Description and further insights into the role, the organisation, and the region. To access the pack, please visit mcarthur.com.au and enter reference J9006 into the job search function.
To be considered for this role, your application must include:
* A current Resume; and
* A tailored Cover Letter (maximum two pages) that specifically addresses the Key Selection Criteria as outlined in the candidate information pack.
For a confidential discussion regarding this significant executive opportunity, please contact Matt Weston or Julie Barr on (07) 3211 9700.
Applications close: COB Monday 23 March 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr