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

This role requires strong technical knowledge of Australian taxation: including Division 7A, Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), GST, Personal Services Income (PSI), Profit Allocation, trust structures, and small business concessions - and the ability to explain and apply these concepts confidently, not just recognise them.

Broadened from "Div 7A, CGT, and small business concessions" to name all the areas you said candidates need to be tested on.

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 qualification (or near completion)
• 3–5 years' experience in Australian public practice
• Excellent, demonstrable understanding of core Australian tax concepts: Division 7A, FBT, CGT, GST, PSI, Profit Allocation (PCG 2021/4), and trust distributions - candidates should be able to discuss how these apply in practice, not just define them
• Proven ability to independently prepare financial statements and income tax returns in Xero - this is essential
• Multi-entity tax return preparation experience (individuals, companies, trusts, partnerships)
• Sound knowledge of discretionary trusts and SME taxation
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple clients and competing deadlines

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Section 100A trust distribution knowledge
• Business restructuring and rollover relief exposure
• Experience reviewing the work of junior accountants
• Payroll tax and land tax knowledge

Systems & Software

• Xero
• MYOB
• Quickbooks
• Xero Practice Manager
• ATO Online Services for Agents
• ASIC Portal
• Microsoft Excel