Senior Bookkeeper / Team Lead

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Bookkeeper & Client Manager to oversee client portfolio delivery, lead and mentor junior local and offshore team members, and drive complete file review and end-of-period closing processes. This role balances technical accounting mastery with strong interpersonal skills. You will act as the trusted primary contact for a dedicated group of clients while ensuring operational quality across all file preparation, compliance, month-end, and year-end procedures.

Key responsibilities

• Directly mentor, support, and supervise junior and mid-level onshore and offshore bookkeeping staff
• Coordinate task workflows, capacity planning, and job assignments in ClickUp
• Conduct internal quality assurance, review junior staff outputs, and provide constructive technical guidance
• Champion practice-wide standards, processes, and efficiency improvements
• Serve as the dedicated Client Manager for an assigned client portfolio, building strong long-term working relationships
• Conduct client meetings, address day-to-day inquiries, and manage onboarding for new engagements
• Proactively communicate client file statuses, financial insights, and upcoming compliance deadlines
• Perform thorough peer reviews and health checks of Xero data files prepared by team members
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts, bank feeds, intercompany transactions, and suspense accounts are fully reconciled
• Prepare, review, and lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) and Installment Activity Statements (IAS)

About you

• Minimum 5+ years of practical bookkeeping and accounting experience within an Australian accounting or bookkeeping firm
• Minimum Diploma in Accounting/Bookkeeping or higher (Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance preferred)
• Registered BAS Agent status or eligible for registration with industry body association (ICB, ABN, or CPA/CA) is highly advantageous
• Expert-level proficiency in Xero (Xero Advisor & Payroll certified)
• Demonstrated experience using workflow tools like ClickUp, Dext, KeyPay, GovReports, Advanced MS Excel skills (pivot tables, data analysis functions)
• Natural ability to coach, guide, and motivate team members across different geographical setups
• Thorough understanding of Australian business taxation, payroll standards, and accounting principles
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with strong executive presentation ability
• Meticulous approach to data integrity, file review, and reconciliation accuracy
• Proactive and autonomous approach to troubleshooting complex accounting files and workflow roadblocks

About us

Ablaze Consulting is an established boutique bookkeeping and financial consulting practice operating in St Ives, Sydney. With over two decades of operation, we pride ourselves on leveraging modern cloud tech stack solutions to deliver accurate, high-touch financial support to a diverse client portfolio ranging from small businesses to complex enterprise groups. Operating exclusively on Xero, our core focus goes beyond basic data entry to offer complete month-end control, compliance management, and strategic CFO-level insight.