Tax Accountant (Australian Public Practice)

Job description

### **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