Senior AU Bookkeeper

About Penbrothers 

Penbrothers is an HR and remote talent management partner and one of the fastest-growing companies in the Philippines. We connect talented Filipinos to global opportunities with high-growth startups and dynamic companies, enabling them to build careers from the comfort of their own homes. We provide end-to-end support in recruitment, HR, payroll, compliance, and employee engagement - creating an environment where talent can thrive and global companies can grow.

 

About the Client 

Our client is an established, family-owned Australian accounting firm that brings together the high technical standards of a mid-tier firm with the approachable, team-first culture of a family practice. Based in Ipswich for over 25 years, They manage a portfolio of approximately 2,500 clients, ranging from individuals and sole traders to growing small and medium enterprises.

They treat its Philippine team members as integral colleagues rather than an outsourced back-office. In this role, you will work closely alongside Australian team members daily, taking direct ownership of client files and delivering reliable, high-integrity financial records.

 

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Australian Bookkeeper with at least five years of hands-on Australian bookkeeping experience, gained within an Australian public accounting practice.

This is a senior, highly autonomous role for someone who can hit the ground running and independently manage an assigned portfolio of Australian clients. The ideal candidate has expert-level Xero proficiency, a strong understanding of Australian taxation and GST requirements, and the commercial judgment to go beyond transaction coding and understand the financial activities of each client.

You will be expected to work independently with minimal technical supervision, recognizing transaction anomalies, identifying potential tax deductions, and monitoring changes in client financial performance.

What you’ll do

• End-to-End Bookkeeping: Independently manage the complete bookkeeping cycle for an assigned portfolio of Australian SME clients using Xero, including transaction processing, coding, and account maintenance.

• GST and Tax Compliance: Apply accurate Australian GST treatments and identify applicable tax deductions, Fuel Tax Credits, and industry-specific tax considerations, particularly for NDIS, aged care, childcare, and transport businesses.

• Reconciliations and Financial Reporting: Perform bank, credit card, balance sheet, payroll, and ATO reconciliations. Maintain fixed asset registers, prepare BAS/IAS workpapers, and ensure the accuracy of financial records.

• Commercial Review and Anomaly Detection: Exercise professional judgment when reviewing transactions, identifying unusual expenses, potential deductions, discrepancies, and changes in client revenue or spending patterns.

• Client File Management: Take ownership of assigned client files, including cleaning up historical records, resolving outstanding transactions, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date ledgers.

• Payroll Processing: Manage payroll through Xero, including pay runs, Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting, and superannuation processing.

• Team Collaboration and Query Management: Consolidate transaction-related questions, document findings, and coordinate with the team lead, who handles direct client communication.

• Workflow and Productivity Management: Prioritize client accounts based on transaction volumes, consistently reduce outstanding transactions, and meet weekly productivity and quality expectations.

 

What You Bring

• Australian Bookkeeping Experience: At least 5 years of hands-on Australian bookkeeping experience, with a mandatory background in an Australian public accounting practice.

• Expert Xero Proficiency: Ability to independently manage the complete bookkeeping cycle, including transaction processing, reconciliations, payroll, STP, and financial reporting.

• Australian Tax and GST Knowledge: Strong understanding of Australian GST treatments, BAS/IAS requirements, and practical tax considerations, including Fuel Tax Credits and NDIS/aged care transactions.

• Commercial and Analytical Judgment: Ability to assess business expenses, identify potential deductions, recognize transaction anomalies, and monitor changes in clients' financial activities.

• Systems Proficiency: Hands-on experience with Hubdoc and strong Excel skills. Familiarity with Xero Practice Manager is an advantage.

• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with Australian businesses, suppliers, and common industry transactions, particularly in transport, NDIS, aged care, and childcare.

• Communication and Autonomy: Strong English communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage multiple client accounts, prioritize workloads, and meet productivity expectations.

 

 Nice to Have

• Xero Advisor Certification

• Hands-on experience with practice workflow systems such as Xero Practice Manager (XPM) or FYI Docs

• Familiarity with Fuel Tax Credits (FTC), PAYG Instalments, or Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) principles

• Exposure to multi-entity business structures, family trusts, or Australian Modern Awards

Our Hiring Process & AI Disclaimer: We use AI tools to streamline our application process—including an initial conversation with an AI Interviewer. All hiring decisions are made entirely by humans: our Talent Acquisition team guides your full candidate journey and makes all evaluation decisions.

You are welcome to use AI for CV refinement and research, but real-time AI assistance during interviews or skill assessments is strictly prohibited to ensure an authentic evaluation. 

Read our full AI Disclaimer to learn more

 

What You’ll Get

At Penbrothers, we are obsessed with creating positive employee experiences. Here you’ll find an environment that nurtures learning and provides opportunities for growth. You’ll have the opportunity to make an impact on fast-growing startups and dynamic companies. 

·Meaningful work & Growth: We take every opportunity to stretch ourselves and deliver an excellent client experience. 

 Employee as our biggest asset: We are genuinely invested in our people’s career and welfare.

Global reach & local impact: Get to work with high-growth startups and dynamic companies from the comfort of your own home. 

Powering global startups: We’ve created 1,400 Filipino jobs that empower global start-ups to focus on growth.