Business Services Manager

About the role

An established accounting and advisory firm in Geelong is looking for a Business Services Manager. The role suits an experienced public practice accountant who wants to own a portfolio of complex clients, lead a team and deliver high-quality accounting, taxation and business advisory services. You will partner with Directors on client relationships, commercial advice and business development.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of clients, overseeing financial statements, tax returns and compliance work across companies, trusts, partnerships and individuals.
• Provide technical advice on complex accounting, taxation, tax structuring and deferred tax matters.
• Deliver cash flow reporting, financial analysis and broader business advisory services.
• Build strong client relationships and understand their commercial objectives.
• Manage workflow, budgets, deadlines and engagement profitability across the team.
• Lead, mentor and develop team members, delegate work, give feedback and support career progression.
• Maintain high standards of technical accuracy, compliance and quality assurance.
• Monitor recoverability, billings, collections and outstanding debts.
• Grow existing client relationships, generate referrals and win new business; prepare proposals and fee estimates.
• Contribute to internal training, recruitment, process improvements and the wider development of the firm.

Required profile

• Experienced public practice accountant with strong technical knowledge and proven workflow management skills.
• Ideally experience in business services or business advisory within public practice.
• A completed CA, CPA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience managing larger clients and complex, multi-entity structures.
• Experience managing workflows, budgets and engagement profitability.
• People management experience, including delegation, coaching and developing junior and intermediate staff.
• Commercial mindset with an interest in business development.

Required skills

• Strong technical accounting and taxation knowledge.
• Accounting software such as Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks or Business Fitness.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusted client relationships.

What we offer

• Ownership of a varied portfolio of established and sophisticated clients.
• The opportunity to lead, mentor and develop a team.
• Exposure to complex technical work and commercially focused advisory engagements.
• Direct involvement in client strategy, business development and firm growth.
• Closer work with senior leadership and a role combining technical accounting, client management and leadership.