Senior Accountant
About Us
Michels Trenchless Pty Ltd is part of the global Michels family of companies. We specialise in trenchless underground construction for pipeline, energy, and infrastructure projects across Australia. Based in Wangaratta, Victoria, we operate a large fleet of maxi-HDD rigs and have a skilled drilling team. As a family-owned business, we value integrity, dedication and diversity. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. As we continue to grow and expand, we actively seek to include people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences in our team.
The Role
This role oversees all core finance operations for the Australian entity—including payroll, accounts payable, tax compliance, and reporting—while serving as the main point of coordination for vendors, auditors, and external providers. It also supports broader global finance tasks and ensures accurate, compliant financial processes.
The main areas of responsibilities are based on your experience and would as a minimum include:
Accounts Payable:
Process and validate invoices by digitizing, entering transactional data, verifying accuracy, checking for mandatory tax relevant compliance and resolving discrepancies or rejected items
Serve as the primary fraud‑prevention and compliance checkpoint for all invoices and payments
Manage vendor relationships by communicating promptly and professionally
Batch, process, and prioritize payments through electronic funds transfer (EFT)
Prepare 13-week cashflow planning for payments, avoid dunning letters and overdues and collect early payments discounts
Be in charge of reconciling Trade Accounts Payable balance sheet position and supplier open items statements, including year-end reconciliations for the audit
Tax and compliance knowledge/understanding:
Maintain a foundational understanding of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rules and requirements across applicable jurisdictions
Ideally be able to lodge business activity statements (BAS) with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and ensure timely submission
Assist with the preparation, review, and timely filing of GST returns and related reports
Ensure accurate GST treatment of transactions in accordance with applicable tax regulations and internal policies
Assist in completion and submission income tax returns by deadlines
Regulatory compliance: Ensure adherence to ATO and ASIC standards to avoid penalties
Billing & Accounts Receivable:
Maintaining the Accounts Receivable balance sheet
Maintaining accurate billing and invoicing records
Verifying overdue invoices and ensuring follow-up on collections.
Reporting on Cash forecasting
Other potential opportunities for global finance support:
Prepaid expense and insurance amortization
Bank reconciliations
Payroll costing journal entries
Cost accruals
Intercompany reconciliations
Cash receipt application
Transfer pricing
Tax
Expatriate matters
Assist with data collection to support audits
Correspondence coordination in relation to the duties above, including tax authorities and statutory authorities
Your profile:
Understanding accounting principles, tax law, and financial reporting is a must
Qualification (as a minimum Diploma of accounting, ideally Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Auditing or Economics and / or Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) or similar)
At least 5 years of overall experience in Finance, with at least 3 years in Trade Accounts Payable functions, ideally in international construction business
Knowledge of US GAAP and Australian GAAP
Strong communication skills, professional correspondence, including official (i.e. tax related)
Proficiency in Excel and ERP
Structured approach to work, time management skills, multi/tasking and speed, self-starter
Why Michels Trenchless Pty Ltd?
We expand the limits of and are a world leader in trenchless construction
We will never ask you to prioritise speed ahead of safety
We are family owned and operated, guided by our core values
We share experience and insights to develop industry leaders
We value and care about our people and their families, providing development opportunities and competitive benefits
AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability