Financial Accountant

Join us as an Accountant in our Funds Management Finance team, in a permanent role. 

• You'll be joining a friendly and collaborative team, who are passionate about supporting each other and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in everything they do. 

• This is a hands-on accounting role for someone early in their accounting career. who is eager to grow within a complex and supportive environment. 

• We work flexibly from our Sydney CBD Office where you can expect to work 3 days in the office and 2 days from home. 

What you’ll do 

As one of our Financial Accountants you’ll provide hands on financial control and accounting services for our Affiliate fund managers and the Funds Management (FM) business including delivery of complete, accurate and timely results and reporting.  You will assist in the management of the general ledger ensuring the data supports all reporting and compliance requirements. For example, statutory reporting, management reporting, tax lodgements, regulatory reporting, capital reporting. 

You’ll also contribute to process improvements and automation initiatives across your portfolio of work as well as across the wider finance team.  

You’ll have key responsibilities which will include (but aren’t limited to): 

• Month-end processing and general ledger close. 

• Preparation of monthly balance sheet reconciliations, management reporting, analytical review, and commentary. 

• The provision of information for tax return completion and other tax compliance matters (BAS and FBT). 

• Reporting on Affiliate compliance with regulatory capital and cash requirements, including cashflow monitoring and forecasting. 

• Assisting with the preparation of statutory financial statements for Corporate and Affiliate entities. 

• Preparation of audit files and liaising with auditors on audit queries. 

• Board papers preparation, including workpapers for audit and risk committees; as well as preparation of accounting memos on new standards or areas of reporting. 

• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key business stakeholders and wider finance colleagues. 

• There will also be the opportunity to support ad hoc projects and workstreams for FM initiatives including establishment of new affiliates, distribution partnership and acquisitions. 

The skills you’ll need 

You’ll be CA / CPA (or equivalent) qualified with experience within a financial accounting or financial control environment.  

Experience within financial services or investment management engagements is highly desirable. You will need a willingness to grow and learn in a safe environment with a strong and supportive team. 

You’ll also have 

• Experience of identifying, assessing, and evaluating key financial controls in a finance function. 

• A pro-active learning approach – you are someone who wants to constantly refine and develop yourself taking every opportunity to learn and grow. 

• Proficiency in MS Excel, capable of analysing large datasets, and familiar with financial accounting systems like Workday, Workiva or Dimension (preferred but not essential). 

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. 

• Be proactive in identifying process improvements and managing risks. 

• Willing to learn key accounting standards and their application in a financial services and investment management setting (e.g. AASB 9 and AASB 13). 

In return you’ll get excellent experience working with a talented and diverse group. If you're eager to work in financial control within a dynamic investment management environment, we encourage you to apply. 

About the Team 

The FM Finance team plays a critical role in the timely delivery of results, analysis and 3-year business plan and reforecasts to key senior stakeholders at Challenger including: the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO); the FM Chief Executive; the FM CFO; Group Boards and Investor Relations. 

The team also plays a critical role as the accountant for our Affiliate fund managers and is a key part of their business management on all finance matters. 

Team members share common tasks and work collaboratively, as well as owning unique tasks depending on their role and experience. The wider finance team includes Life Financial Control, Group Financial Control, Business Performance, Tax and Treasury, with teams operating in a highly interactive and collaborative manner.