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Location: (Hybrid – 1 day WFH)
Employment Type: Full-Time
About the Role: We are seeking an experienced and proactive Practice Manager with at least 5 years of hands‑on experience working within a public accounting practice (chartered accounting or CPA firm). We are looking for an outstanding Practice Manager who has already proven they can turn a good firm into a great one. This is not a “keep the wheels turning” role — it’s a career-defining opportunity for someone who lives for speed, quality, simplicity, and measurable results. You will play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of the firm, driving efficiency, ensuring exceptional client service, and supporting the growth of the practice while managing workflow, team performance, compliance, and technology.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee end-to-end practice operations including workflow management, job scheduling, lodgement deadlines, and resource allocation
- Lead the team to consistently deliver work faster, to a higher quality standard, and with greater ease for both staff and clients
- Actively reduce average job turnaround time year‑on‑year while increasing client satisfaction scores
- Own the firm’s client experience program — NPS, onboarding journeys, offboarding risks, surprise‑and‑delight moments
- Design, implement and continuously refine systems and processes that remove bottlenecks, reduce rework, and accelerate turnaround times
- Drive the firm’s digital transformation and best‑practice use of cloud accounting software to maximise speed, accuracy and client self‑service
- Implement and maintain efficient systems, processes, and internal controls
- Monitor practice KPIs (WIP, lock‑up, recovery rates, lodgement compliance, staff utilisation) and proactively address inefficiencies
- Manage billing, debtor control, and trust account compliance
- Ensure compliance with professional standards, ATO/ASIC deadlines, and quality control requirements
- Coordinate HR functions (recruitment, onboarding, payroll, leave management)
- Prepare management reports and contribute to strategic planning and budgeting
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve profitability, operational speed, quality of output, and overall client experience
Essential Experience & Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years’ experience working in a public practice accounting firm (essential)
- Proven experience in a senior administration, operations, or practice management role within an accounting firm
- Tertiary qualification in Business, Accounting, or related discipline (desirable but not essential)
- Current or recent Australian or New Zealand residency with full working rights
Technical Skills (Required)
- Advanced proficiency in Xero (practice-level administration, Xero HQ, reporting, workflow automation)
- Strong working knowledge of FYI (or similar practice management software)
- Expert level in Microsoft Office & Co‑pilot suite (particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams)
- Experience with additional tools such as Class, BGL, Xero Tax, ATO Portal, ASIC Edge, and CAS 360 highly regarded
Key Skills & Attributes for Success
- Obsessive focus on operational efficiency — you spot inefficiencies quickly and fix them permanently
- Proven ability to increase speed of delivery without sacrificing quality
- Relentless drive for quality — establishing checklists, templates, and review processes that raise the firm’s standard
- Talent for making complex work feel easy for both the team and clients through smart systems and clear communication
- Exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills in a deadline-driven environment
- Strong leadership and people‑management capabilities — able to set clear expectations, remove roadblocks, and hold the team accountable to higher performance standards
- Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written)
- Commercial acumen and deep understanding of practice financial metrics (WIP, realisation, lock‑up)
- Process‑driven with a continuous‑improvement and automation-first mindset
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and compliance
- Proactive problem‑solver who thrives under pressure
- Confident, approachable, and professional demeanour
What We Offer
- Competitive salary package ($100k–$140k package, depending on experience)
- Genuine work‑life balance and flexible working options
- Clear career progression pathway (potential equity/partnership prospect for the right candidate)
- Ongoing professional development and training
- Supportive and collaborative firm culture
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