About the role:
Walkinshaw Group is a leader in performance engineering, advanced manufacturing, and product development across automotive, motorsport, and emerging mobility sectors. With a proud history of innovation and quality, we deliver world-class engineering solutions for global OEMs and performance brands. Our Dandenong South facility is home to state-of-the-art engineering capability, a highly skilled team, and a culture that values creativity, collaboration, and technical excellence.

What you'll be doing:

Reporting directly to the Financial Controller of the Automotive business, you will play a key role in the financial management, reporting and governance of the business. As a Senior Financial Accountant, you will take ownership of the end-to-end financial accounting and month-end close processes, ensuring the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of financial information. This is a hands-on role with significant responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the general ledger, balance sheet, financial reporting and statutory compliance. You will provide financial insight and technical accounting support to the Financial Controller, while partnering closely with Finance, FP&A, Commercial and operational stakeholders across the business. You will also take a leading role in continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to strengthen financial controls, automate processes, improve reporting and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the finance function.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced financial accountant who is ready to take greater ownership, influence business outcomes and contribute to the ongoing development of a high-performing finance function.

The objectives of this role include the following:

• Lead the end-to-end monthly financial close process, ensuring all journals, accruals, prepayments, provisions, fixed assets, inventory and other accounting activities are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines

• Work closely with the Financial Controller and broader Finance team to deliver accurate, timely and insightful monthly financial results

• Review financial results, investigate variances and identify key financial risks, opportunities and trends for discussion with the Financial Controller

• Prepare and review monthly financial reporting and management information, providing commentary and analysis to support business decision-making

• Take ownership of the preparation, review and posting of complex and material monthly journals, including accruals, provisions, prepayments, intercompany transactions and other accounting adjustments

• Maintain and oversee the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts and financial systems, ensuring appropriate accounting treatment and financial data integrity

• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring reconciling items are investigated, resolved and appropriately supported

• Take ownership of key balance sheet accounts and ensure appropriate controls are maintained over financial assets, liabilities and provisions

• Support and coordinate year-end financial reporting and audit processes, acting as a key point of contact for internal and external auditors and ensuring audit requirements are delivered accurately and on time

• Ensure timely completion of the Group's statutory reporting and compliance requirements, including supporting the preparation of financial statements and associated disclosures

• Provide technical accounting support and guidance on IFRS/AASB requirements, including assessing accounting treatments for non-routine and complex transactions

• Partner with FP&A and business stakeholders to support the preparation of budgets, forecasts, financial analysis and performance reporting

• Support and review group consolidation activities, including intercompany reconciliations, eliminations, loan balances and other consolidation adjustments

• Take ownership of inventory and cost accounting, working with operational and commercial stakeholders to ensure inventory balances, costing, provisions and related accounting treatments are accurate

• Oversee and review fixed asset accounting, including additions, disposals, depreciation, capitalisation and asset reconciliations

• Monitor and support the control of income, cash flow and expenditure, identifying areas of financial risk and opportunities for improved financial performance

• Ensure compliance with applicable statutory and taxation obligations, including GST, FBT, PAYG, company tax and payroll tax, working with internal and external tax advisers where appropriate

• Maintain and strengthen compliance with the Group's financial controls, governance frameworks, accounting policies and Delegations of Financial Authority (DFA)

• Identify and lead process improvement, automation and reporting initiatives, with a focus on improving efficiency, controls, data quality and scalability

• Review existing accounting processes and controls and proactively identify opportunities to mitigate financial and operational risks

• Provide guidance, support and technical assistance to junior and intermediate members of the finance team, contributing to capability development and knowledge sharing

• Build strong and effective relationships across Finance, Commercial, FP&A, Operations and other key business functions, acting as a trusted finance business partner

• Assist the Financial Controller with ad hoc financial analysis, projects, commercial initiatives and other strategic finance activities as required

What we're looking for in a successful candidate:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or Business

• CPA or CA qualified, or working towards completion, with a strong preference for a fully qualified accountant

• 5+ years' relevant financial accounting experience, ideally including experience in a Big 4 or mid-tier professional services environment and/or a complex commercial organisation

• Strong technical knowledge of Australian accounting standards (AASB/IFRS) and financial reporting requirements

• Demonstrated experience in month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, balance sheet management, reconciliations and statutory reporting

• Strong understanding of internal controls, financial governance and risk management

• Experience with inventory, cost accounting and/or manufacturing accounting is highly desirable

• Experience in the automotive, manufacturing, FMCG or other complex operational environment will be highly regarded

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage competing priorities, take ownership of deliverables and work effectively to tight reporting deadlines

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial information and translate it into meaningful business insights

• Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement and automation opportunities and successfully implement practical solutions

• Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to understand the financial and operational drivers of the business

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with Finance, Commercial, Operations and senior leadership

• Demonstrated ability to review work, challenge existing processes and provide constructive financial and accounting advice

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong ERP/system literacy. Experience with complex ERP environments will be highly regarded

• A proactive, hands-on and collaborative approach, with a strong focus on accountability, accuracy, continuous improvement and delivery

• High level of integrity, attention to detail and commitment to maintaining the quality and confidentiality of financial information

What we offer:

• Competitive salary package, including 2 RDOs per year

• Opportunity to work in an experienced, high performing team

• A collaborative environment with strong career development pathways

Interested?

If you're passionate about improving processes and working in a diverse, collaborative team in an automotive environment, we’d love to hear from you!

Please apply via SEEK by uploading your CV and Cover letter, letting us know why you stand out from the pack and what you can bring to the Walkinshaw Group and this role.