Head of Central Client Acceptance

Grant Thornton Australia is one of the world's leading independently-owned and managed accounting, advisory and consulting firms.

Our culture is underpinned by a commitment to our clients, people and communities, and our promise to ‘Reach for Remarkable’ by providing proven expertise, principled execution, and personalised experience.

In Australia, we’re proud to support the careers of over 1,500 remarkable people. With six offices nationally and partner firms in more than 145 markets, wherever you want to go, we can take you there.

About this role

We are looking for a Head of Central Client Acceptance to join our high performing team at Grant Thornton Australia. This role is crucial in managing the firm's client acceptance functions, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, professional standards, and internal policies.

The Head of Central Client Acceptance will work closely with professionals within our National team, focused on ensuring cohesive risk management strategies across the firm. This position reports to the National Managing Partner - Quality and Excellence and will collaborate with other Managing Partners and senior management.

Key responsibilities

• Operational Leadership and Team Management: Lead and manage the Central Client Acceptance (CCA) team, providing clear direction, prioritisation and support to ensure timely, high‑quality delivery of client and engagement acceptance outcomes. Focus on effective people leadership, capability uplift, workload planning and team engagement.
• Client and Engagement Acceptance Operations: Oversee the day‑to‑day operation of client and engagement acceptance activities across the firm, ensuring requests are managed efficiently, consistently and in line with agreed service levels throughout the client lifecycle.
• Transformation and Transition Management: Lead the transition of remaining client and engagement acceptance activities from the business into the central CCA team. Support the continuation of key transformation and implementation initiatives, embedding new ways of working and supporting the move into a stable BAU operating model.
• Process Coordination and Continuous Improvement: Identify operational pain points and opportunities for improvement across client acceptance processes. Work with stakeholders to implement practical process, workflow and system enhancements that improve efficiency, quality and scalability.
• Risk Oversight and Coordination: Provide high‑level oversight of risk, compliance and regulatory requirements relevant to client acceptance (including AML, sanctions and conflicts), ensuring appropriate processes, controls and escalation pathways are in place. This role focuses on coordination and oversight rather than hands‑on technical resolution.
• Stakeholder and Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with Partners, fee earners and support teams including Risk & Compliance, Independence, Legal and Digital to ensure smooth client onboarding, clear communication and alignment across all acceptance activities.
• Systems and Program Delivery Support: Partner with Digital, Independence and Risk teams to support the delivery and embedding of core system initiatives, including new client and engagement acceptance tools, AML tooling and global risk systems.
• Service Level and Performance Management: Establish, monitor and report on service level agreements (SLAs) and operational performance metrics for client onboarding and acceptance activities, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
• Advice, Guidance and Escalation Support: Act as a trusted point of contact for Partners and business stakeholders on client acceptance processes, providing practical guidance and ensuring issues are triaged and escalated appropriately where required.

Skills & experience

• Experience: 10+ years of experience managing conflicts and alignment in an international firm, preferably with a strong presence in Australia.
• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail and the ability to critically evaluate multiple sources of information. 
• Research Skills: Demonstrated research skills and familiarity with online research tools. 
• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with colleagues, partners, and management. 
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with a positive customer service-oriented attitude. 
• Time Management: Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines. 
• Problem-Solving: Exceptional problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills. 
• Professionalism: Professionalism and the ability to influence in a positive manner. 
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and manage complex conflict issues . 

If you’re interested in this role but don’t feel that you match every single one of our requirements, we would still love to hear from you and explore the unique skillset and attributes that you can bring to the team.

Reach your remarkable

At Grant Thornton we do things differently because we understand that when you strive for better and care about what you do remarkable things are possible. We’re a dynamic and authentic mix of backgrounds, perspectives and ways of thinking. We’re driven by our shared purpose – we care for our people, clients and communities and support them to thrive.

With us, you’ll be exposed to challenging and rewarding opportunities – building your confidence and capabilities at every step. You’ll be supported, motivated and inspired by a team of passionate and caring collaborators and leaders. You’ll be empowered to build a career path that’s tailored to you and encouraged to make a meaningful difference. And we’ll make sure the excellence you deliver and the impact you make is always seen, felt and celebrated.

Remarkable perks that put you first:

• Work from home options | team connection days

• Work alongside collaborative leaders and industry experts

• Fully funded gym membership | Health Insurance discounts 

• Work in comfort and dress for your day 

• And many more! 

Need some help applying or participating in the recruitment process?

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible for anyone who wishes to apply, and we warmly encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders, those in the LGBTQI+ community and individuals who identify as having disability or are neurodivergent.  Click here for recruitment support information and to learn more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Grant Thornton.

Should you have questions or require any adaptations or additional support for your individual circumstances so you may perform at your best during the application or recruitment process please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]

As we provide fair consideration and evaluation to a high volume of applications, we endeavour to provide feedback on your application at the earliest opportunity.

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