Principal, Accounting
Position Summary
The Principal is a senior leadership role within the accounting practice, responsible for driving strategic growth, leading client relationships at the highest level, and contributing to the overall direction and success of the firm.
The Principal is a key commercial leader in the Accounting team, accountable for business development, client acquisition, key account management and retention, while delivering high‑value advisory services to complex and high‑net‑worth clients. The role leads client negotiations, oversees major engagements, and acts as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders.
This role can be located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Practice Growth
- Contribute to the strategic direction and growth of the accounting practice
- Actively drive business development initiatives, including identifying, pursuing and converting new client opportunities
- Develop and maintain a strong professional network, referral channels and market presence
- Lead and influence practice‑wide initiatives, innovation and continuous improvement
- Support revenue growth through advisory‑led engagements and strategic client expansion
Client Leadership, Key Accounts & Negotiation
- Act as relationship owner for key and strategic client accounts, including high‑net‑worth individuals and complex business groups
- Lead commercial negotiations, scope discussions and fee arrangements with clients
- Build long‑term, trusted advisory relationships with business owners, executives and family groups
- Lead high‑level advisory conversations, strategic planning engagements and business reviews
- Represent the firm in complex client matters and sensitive discussions
- Ensure exceptional client experience, retention and advocacy
Advisory, Accounting & Taxation Expertise
- Provide senior‑level technical and commercial advice across taxation, structuring and business strategy
- Oversee and review complex financial statements and income tax returns
- Ensure compliance with taxation legislation, accounting standards, professional obligations and ATO requirements
- Act as a Supervising Tax Agent, ensuring technical accuracy, compliance and risk management
- Apply advanced expertise in areas including:
- Self‑Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs)
- Division 7A
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) concessions
- Business structuring and succession planning
Quality, Risk & Governance
- Maintain rigorous quality control and risk management standards across all client engagements
- Ensure adherence to internal policies, professional standards and regulatory requirements
- Review and sign off work in line with delegation and authorisation frameworks
- Proactively identify and manage technical, compliance and reputational risk
People Leadership & Capability Development
- Provide strong, visible leadership to Associates, Managers and team members
- Develop future leaders through coaching, mentoring and capability building
- Lead performance management, succession planning and talent development
- Foster a collaborative, accountable and high‑performance culture
- Model the firm’s values, leadership behaviours and professional standards
Qualifications
- 10+ years’ experience in business services, taxation, and financial reporting within a Public Practice environment
- Demonstrated success in business development, client acquisition and relationship management
- Proven experience managing large, complex and high‑value client portfolios
- Strong track record in leading advisory engagements and strategic client outcomes
- Extensive technical expertise, particularly in SMSFs, Division 7A and CGT concessions
- CPA or CA qualification
- Certificate of Public Practice (CPP)
- Registered Tax Agent, with experience acting as a Supervising Tax Agent
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Accounting or a related discipline
- Strong commercial acumen and strategic mindset
- Proven ability to win, retain and grow clients
- High‑level negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills
- Confident decision‑maker with sound judgement and integrity
- Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands‑on advisory input
About Focus Partners Australia
Focus Partners Australia, the Australian business unit of Focus Partners, offers integrated capabilities in wealth advice, accounting, lending, insurance and related services from its offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Guided by a client-first ethos, Focus Partners Australia leverages the global expertise, platforms and capital strength of Focus Financial Partners to deliver holistic, fiduciary guidance across strategic planning, portfolio management, insurance, credit and tax. By fusing local insight with world-class resources, Focus Partners Australia helps its clients protect, grow and transition their wealth at every life stage.
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About Focus Financial Partners
Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client-first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.
Focus is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment decisions on the employee or candidate’s skillset, and without regard to an employee or candidate’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state and/or federal law.
Focus complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@focuspartners.com.
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For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901.
For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation. The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.