General Accountant

About Austern Building Supplies

Austern Building Supplies Pty Ltd is an established and growing Western Australian supplier of building materials, construction products, tools and related products.

Operating from our large retail and distribution facility in Morley, we supply builders, contractors, commercial customers and retail clients throughout Western Australia.

A significant proportion of our products is sourced through manufacturers and suppliers in China. As our wholesale, retail and international procurement operations continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced General Accountant to join our business.

The Role

The General Accountant will be responsible for supporting the company’s financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, supplier accounting and management decision-making.

The role will also work closely with management, procurement personnel, external accountants and overseas suppliers, particularly in relation to Chinese-language invoices, commercial records and international purchasing transactions.

Key Responsibilities

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

1. Preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial and management reports;
2. Preparing and monitoring annual budgets, cash flow forecasts and monthly expenditure plans;
3. Reviewing financial transactions, payment requests, reimbursement claims and supporting documents;
4. Performing bank reconciliations, account reconciliations and general ledger reviews;
5. Analysing revenue, expenditure, operating costs and financial performance;
6. Monitoring inventory costs, supplier payments, landed costs and cost of goods sold;
7. Reviewing Chinese-language supplier invoices, purchasing records and supporting commercial documents;
8. Assisting with GST, BAS, payroll and other Australian reporting and compliance requirements;
9. Maintaining appropriate accounting records, internal controls and financial procedures;
10. Assisting with internal and external audits;
11. Liaising with external accountants, auditors, banks and relevant professional advisers;
12. Providing financial analysis and recommendations to management;
13. Supporting international procurement activities, including foreign currency transactions, supplier costing and import documentation; and
14. Assisting management to improve accounting systems, reporting procedures and financial controls as the business expands.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must demonstrate:

1. A recognised bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in Accounting;
2. A relevant Australian-recognised accounting qualifications will be highly regarded;
3. At least five years of relevant accounting, financial management or financial reporting experience;
4. Experience working in a government department, large organisation, commercial business, wholesale operation, retail business, manufacturing business or import/export environment;
5. Demonstrated experience in budgeting, financial reporting, account reconciliation, expenditure review, financial analysis and internal controls;
6. Experience using accounting software, electronic accounting systems or enterprise resource planning systems;
7. A sound understanding of financial accounting, management accounting, accounting systems, business law and financial reporting principles;
8. Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills;
9. Professional written and spoken English; and
10. The legal right to work in Australia in accordance with applicable visa conditions.

Chinese Language and International Business Requirements

Due to the company's substantial procurement activities and long-term supplier relationships throughout Mainland China, applicants must possess:

1. Professional written and spoken Mandarin Chinese;
2. The ability to read, prepare and review Chinese-language commercial documents, supplier invoices, financial records and purchasing documentation;
3. The ability to communicate directly with Chinese suppliers, manufacturers, procurement personnel and other business stakeholders regarding financial, accounting and commercial matters; and
4. A sound understanding of Chinese commercial practices, business culture and import/export trading environments.

Professional Cantonese language skills will be highly regarded, as the company maintains long-term commercial relationships with suppliers and manufacturers throughout Guangdong Province, regularly attends the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) to source products, and frequently liaises with freight forwarders, shipping agents and logistics providers involved in international procurement and import operations.

Highly Regarded

The following experience will be advantageous:

1. Experience in building materials, construction supplies, wholesale or retail operations;
2. Experience supporting international procurement or import transactions;
3. Experience reviewing supplier pricing, freight, landed costs and inventory expenditure;
4. Familiarity with Australian accounting software such as Xero, MYOB or similar platforms;
5. Experience working with bilingual management, suppliers or project teams; and
6. Experience supervising or reviewing the work of junior finance or administrative employees.

Training and Systems

Training will be provided in relation to the company’s internal accounting systems, Australian compliance procedures and business-specific reporting requirements where necessary.

The successful applicant will nevertheless be expected to possess sufficient accounting experience and professional capability to perform the substantive duties of the position after a reasonable induction period.

Employment Conditions and Benefits

1. Permanent full-time position;
2. Salary of $100,000 per annum plus superannuation;
3. Free onsite parking;
4. Staff purchasing discounts;
5. Employee insurance benefits;
6. Stable, long-term employment with a growing Western Australian business; and
7. Opportunity to work closely with senior management and international suppliers.

Work Rights and Commencement

Applicants must hold a valid Australian visa and comply with all applicable work conditions.

The successful applicant must be able to commence permanent full-time employment once unrestricted work rights are in effect. Any employment undertaken before that time must remain within the conditions attached to the applicant’s current visa.

Application

Please submit:

1. Your current résumé;
2. Copies of relevant accounting qualifications;
3. Evidence of an Australian Accountant (General) skills assessment or equivalent professional assessment;
4. A brief cover letter addressing your accounting experience, Chinese-language capabilities and experience working with financial documents or suppliers in China; and
5. Details of your current Australian visa and work rights.