Assistant Accountant

Position Summary 

The Assistant Accountant supports the Finance team by delivering accurate and timely financial processing, reporting and reconciliation activities. This role is responsible for assisting with month-end close, maintaining financial records, supporting accounts payable and receivable processes, and ensuring compliance with company policies and financial controls. Working closely with the Management Accountant and Finance Director, the Assistant Accountant plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of financial information and supporting continuous improvement across finance operations. 

Key Responsibilities 

Financial Accounting 

• Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts. 

• Prepare and post journals, accruals and prepayments.  

• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger by ensuring financial transactions are accurately recorded, classified and reconciled. 

• Perform balance sheet reconciliations. 

• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including the preparation of supporting schedules and working papers. 

• Ensure financial transactions are recorded accurately and in accordance with accounting standards. 

• Provide day-to-day support to the Management Accountant across financial accounting, reporting, reconciliations, and finance operations. 

Accounts Payable & Receivable Support 

• Collaborate with Edelman's Shared Services function to support accounts payable activities, including purchase order processing, invoice processing, payment queries, vendor liaison and the timely resolution of processing issues. 

• Support the preparation and processing of client billings, ensuring accurate and timely invoicing in accordance with company procedures.  

• Support customer invoicing, collections and accounts receivable activities.  

• Monitor outstanding debtor balances. 

• Resolve invoice and payment queries with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Prepare and process client billings in accordance with agreed schedules and company procedures. 

Reconciliations 

• Complete bank reconciliations. 

• Reconcile general ledger accounts. 

• Investigate and resolve reconciling items promptly. 

• Assist with intercompany reconciliations where required. 

• Perform corporate credit card reconciliations and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.  

Financial Reporting 

• Assist in preparing monthly financial reports. 

• Support budget and forecast preparation, including monitoring budget performance, investigating budget variances and assisting with cost control initiatives.  

• Compile and analyse financial and operational data, prepare commentary on significant variances and trends, and provide insights to support informed business decision-making. 

• Support cash flow reporting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.  

• Prepare ad hoc reports as requested. 

Systems & Process Improvement 

• Use Workday Financial Management to process financial transactions, maintain records and generate reports. 

• Assist in maintaining data integrity within Workday. 

• Support finance system enhancements and testing. 

• Identify opportunities to improve finance processes, report efficiency, and operational workflows to support business performance. 

• Participate in finance projects and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance finance processes, reporting, systems, and operational efficiency. 

Compliance & Controls 

• Ensure compliance with company policies and financial procedures. 

• Support internal and external audit requirements, including preparing supporting documentation and audit schedules. 

• Assist with BAS, FBT and other statutory reporting activities. 

• Maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date accounting records, financial documentation, and supporting schedules. 

Stakeholder Support 

• Respond to finance-related enquiries from internal stakeholders, suppliers and clients in a timely and professional manner.  

• Coordinate with internal departments and build collaborative working relationships to ensure finance activities support business objectives and operational priorities. 

• Provide accurate financial information and support to internal stakeholders to assist informed decision-making and resolve routine finance matters. 

Skills & Experience 

Essential 

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Commerce or Finance (or currently completing). 

• Working towards CA or CPA qualification (preferred). 

• 1–3 years' experience in an Assistant Accountant or similar finance role. 

• Demonstrated experience using Workday Financial Management for financial processing, reconciliations and reporting. 

• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills. 

• Strong numerical and analytical skills. 

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail. 

• Excellent organisational and time management skills. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. 

Desirable 

• Experience within a professional services, consulting, media, advertising or communications environment. 

• Experience with month-end close processes. 

• Knowledge of GST, BAS and Australian accounting requirements. 

• Experience using Power BI or similar reporting tools.