Financial Accountant

Why this role exists: The Financial Accountant is responsible for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the Officeworks financial accounts through the execution of robust month-end processes, statutory reporting, and balance sheet governance. This role serves as a technical anchor within the finance team, translating complex transactions into compliant financial statements while identifying opportunities to streamline reporting cycles. By maintaining a rigorous control environment, the Financial Accountant provides the business with the reliable financial data necessary to support strategic decision-making and meet Wesfarmers group reporting obligations.

Where you will make a difference: In this role you will: Financial Accounting & Reporting Execute the end-to-end month-end closing process for assigned ledger areas to ensure timely corporate reporting. Deliver accurate monthly financial results in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (AASB). Perform detailed variance analysis of actuals versus forecast to explain drivers of financial performance.

Manage the intercompany reconciliation process, ensuring all balances are matched and eliminated. Coordinate the collection of financial data from various business units to support consolidated reporting. Support tax and statutory requirements, assisting the Senior Tax Specialist with submissions and delivering half-year and year-end audit requirements.

Governance, Risk & Compliance Prepare and review complex balance sheet reconciliations to mitigate financial risk and ensure data integrity. Assist in preparation of statutory financial statements and supporting workpapers for half-year and year-end audits. Maintain the internal control framework to ensure the safeguarding of assets and accuracy of financial records.

Ensure all financial activities comply with Officeworks and Wesfarmers Group policies. Assist in external audit requirement, providing clear documentation and evidence for samples. Lease Accounting & Store Occupancy Costs Lead the accounting and reporting for leases under AASB 16, including recognition of right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities.

Maintain accurate lease records, ensuring completeness of lease data, correct discount rates, and appropriate classification. Manage periodic lease accounting processes, including remeasurements, modifications, and impairment assessments. Maintain and enhance the lease accounting system (Progen), ensuring data integrity and alignment with financial reporting requirements.

Partner with Property and Finance teams to ensure lease terms, renewals, and changes are accurately captured and reflected in financial reporting. Manage accounting and reporting for store-related expense lines, including repairs & maintenance (R&M), facilities, and occupancy costs, ensuring accurate recognition and analysis. Maintain and manage property-related trade debtors, ensuring timely reconciliation, collection, and resolution of outstanding balances.

Build strong business partnering relationships with Property and Facilities teams to support decision-making and cost management. Assist in the budgeting and forecasting process for lease and store-related costs, including developing assumptions, analysing trends, and monitoring spend against plan. Process Improvement & Systems Drive continuous improvement in financial systems and processes to reduce manual intervention and reporting lead times.

Identify and implement automation opportunities within month-end workpapers to enhance efficiency. Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all key financial accounting tasks. Support finance transformation projects and ERP upgrades as a subject matter expert on accounting workflows.

Who you will be working with: Internal Delivery Teams: Other Financial Accountants, Assistant Financial Accountant and Senior Financial Accountant Internal Partners: Senior Financial Accountant, Accounts Payable/Receivable, , Departmental Business Partners, Banking Officers and Store Operations. External Partners: External Auditors, Banking Partners, and Regulatory Bodies. What success looks like: Reporting Accuracy: Ensuring financial reporting accuracy with zero material adjustments post-period end or during external audits.

Deadline Adherence: Strict adherence to Group and Statutory reporting deadlines. Audit Performance: Successful completion of interim and year-end audits with minimal management letter points. Efficiency: Reconciliations completed and reviewed within 10 business days of month-end.

How you will lead: Individual Contributor Lives our Officeworks values and behaviours Proactively contributes to a safe working environment, escalates appropriately if there are unsafe conditions or inappropriate behaviour Operates in line with applicable Officeworks company policies and Code of Conduct Demonstrates a strong sense of personal accountability and curiosity to learn and develop Qualifications and work experience: Essential Experience: Minimum 3 years in a financial accounting role, ideally within a large-scale retail or FMCG environment. Qualifications: CA or CPA qualification (complete or near completion). Cycle Management: Proven experience in managing month-end cycles and preparing statutory accounts.

Technical Knowledge: Strong knowledge of Australian Accounting Standards (AASB/IFRS). Technical Skills: Advanced Excel skills (complex formulas, data manipulation, and financial modelling). Systems: Experience with large ERP systems such as SAP, Netsuite, blackline and BW (preferred) Preferred Audit Background: Prior experience in a large or mid-tier audit firm is highly regarded.