Job Description
Job Title: Senior Tax & Business Services Accountant (Australian Practice)
Location: Remote
Role Type: Full-Time
Working Hours: Must align to Australia (9:00am-5:00pm AEST, Mon-Fri)
Who Are We
At Reef, we connect elite talent with high-growth companies building world-class teams.
We work exclusively with the top 3% of candidates and match them with established companies across Australia, New Zealand, the US, and UK that are serious about investing in their people and operational infrastructure.
We support your integration into these companies by providing additional training, admin/HR support, and access to our growing community of high-performing professionals.
About The Role
We're seeking a senior, client-facing Tax & Business Services Accountant to join a growing Australian accounting practice and take ownership of a portfolio of SME clients.
This is not a pure compliance role - you will be responsible for managing end-to-end client relationships, delivering high-quality tax compliance work, and supporting tax planning and advisory initiatives.
You will work across a diverse portfolio including companies, trusts, partnerships, and individuals, handling everything from financial statements and tax returns to BAS, payroll, and ongoing client queries.
This role requires someone who is comfortable operating with autonomy, managing deadlines across multiple clients, and contributing to both compliance and advisory work.
You'll work closely with senior accountants and leadership while also acting as a key point of contact for clients, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and proactive communication at all times.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage and own a portfolio of SME clients across multiple entity types
Prepare and lodge tax returns for companies, trusts, partnerships, and individuals
Prepare financial statements, working papers, and year-end adjustments
Handle BAS, IAS, GST reconciliations, and activity statement lodgements
Manage monthly bookkeeping, reconciliations, and general ledger accuracy
Prepare and review payroll, STP, and superannuation compliance
Assist with tax planning, structuring, and advisory work (including Div7A, CGT, FBT)
Review and resolve discrepancies, tax issues, and compliance gaps
Collaborate with senior accountants on complex client matters and advisory projects
Maintain strong client relationships and respond to tax and accounting queries
Ensure all work is completed accurately and in line with ATO requirements
Identify process improvements and contribute to operational efficiency
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Australian tax legislation and regulatory changes
Requirements
Excellent spoken and written English
3-5+ years of experience in an Australian accounting practice environment
Strong hands-on experience with tax across companies, trusts, partnerships, and individuals
Proven experience managing client portfolios independently
Strong knowledge of Australian tax legislation, BAS, GST, and superannuation
Experience with Div7A, CGT, FBT, and year-end compliance
Proficiency in Xero (required) and Xero Tax or similar tax software
Experience with Karbon or similar practice management tools
Strong reconciliation and financial reporting skills
Ability to manage multiple clients, deadlines, and priorities independently
Strong attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies
Comfortable working remotely with minimal supervision
Proactive communicator with ability to manage client expectations
Desirable
CA/CPA qualification or working towards
Experience with MYOB
Experience with Dext, Hubdoc, or similar tools
Exposure to tax planning and advisory work
Benefits
Competitive salary based on experience
Performance-based salary progression
Direct employment with established Australian accounting practices
Exposure to diverse client portfolios and complex tax work
Opportunity to grow into senior or advisory-focused roles
Support for CA/CPA progression and ongoing technical development
Flexible remote working environment
