Principal Accountant

About the Opportunity We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Financial Accountant to play a pivotal role within our Finance team. Reporting to the Manager, Accounting, Tax and Treasury, this senior position is responsible for leading the University's financial accounting function, including financial reporting, statutory compliance, audit coordination, taxation reporting, and financial control activities. This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong accounting professional who thrives in a complex environment and is passionate about delivering accurate, timely, and insightful financial information. You'll work closely with stakeholders across the organisation, drive continuous improvement initiatives, strengthen financial controls, and contribute to the development of best-practice financial policies and procedures. Key Responsibilities • Lead and professionally develop the financial accountants to support the wider objectives of the finance function • Lead and coordinate the full year financial statements preparation, including supporting documentation for external audit • Lead the monthly close and reconciliation processes, ensuring timely and accurate periodic reporting • Identify and deliver resolutions to reporting and process/control deficiencies • Review reconciliations to support both internal and external reporting, to include investigation and analytical review of GL account balances • Assist with the review and implementation of control measures to ensure the appropriateness and completeness of revenue reporting and recognition • Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with senior staff from other areas of finance and the wider University community • Develop best practice policies and procedures to support a strong financial control framework within the university • Contribute to the development of appropriate KPIs that drive accuracy, high performance and are client facing • Undertake other projects and duties as determined by the Manager, Accounting, Tax and Treasury. About you • The occupant of this position will hold relevant qualifications, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training. • Be fully qualified in a recognised accountancy profession (CA or CPA) with a minimum of five years’ relevant experience. Candidates must have full unrestricted Australian work rights and will be subject to a National criminal history check. What we can offer This is a full time continuing opportunity primarily based at our Brisbane South (Nathan) campus. As Griffith is a multi-site university, you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples. Salary HEW 9 – Base range - $137,165.65 - $142,070.17 + 17% superannuation. Full package range - $160,483.80 - $166,222.09.