Are you a sharp, detail-loving accountant who gets a genuine kick out of making things run like a well-oiled machine? If you’re over feeling like just another cog in the wheel, stuck in a role where your skills aren’t valued, or working somewhere that’s all grind and no growth, it’s time for a change.

At PAL, you’ll have the chance to lead, streamline, and actually make an impact—without getting bogged down in client meetings.

Overview

PAL Accounting & Advisory, based in the vibrant heart of Newtown (Geelong), is on the lookout for a Team Leader – Business Services & Tax to join our growing team. With 5+ years of Australian tax experience, you’ll play a pivotal role in keeping our production engine running smoothly—with a fresh, friendly, no-BS approach and a commitment to excellence.

Your expertise will be key in delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients, collaborating with the Director and Client Managers on advisory work while taking the lead on technical and compliance aspects.

5 Reasons to Join Us

At PAL, we do things differently. Our mission is to help our clients and our team members win at life—whatever that looks like for them. Guided by values that include approachability, integrity (we have a strict no-BS policy!), collaboration, continuous learning, and genuine care, we’ve built a business that's focused on people.

You’ll thrive here if you’re ready to step out of the rat race and into a practice where:

1. Your work truly matters. Your work helps us achieve our mission, to help small business owners win at life.
2. Growth is built in. This role is part of our long-term strategy, meaning real development opportunities for you and the chance to grow with a practice that puts its people at the centre.
3. Flexibility meets fulfilment—we prioritise work-life balance with flexible hours, hybrid options, and a team culture that’s as fun and supportive as it is ambitious.
4. High standards are the norm—because you demand the best from yourself and others.
5. Work that keeps you sharp. Our clients are a mix of ambitious business owners, rising stars, and industry leaders. You’ll tackle diverse, meaningful work that challenges and excites you.

Position Description (day in the life)

As Team Leader - Business Services & Tax at PAL you will report to the Director, playing a crucial role in ensuring smooth workflow, technical accuracy, and efficiency across our team - ensuring that financials, tax returns, advisory reporting, and other key deliverables are completed to the highest standard.

Your role is to keep work moving efficiently, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure accuracy while actively contributing to advisory work and supporting the Director and Client Managers in strategic client-facing priorities. You’ll also support and guide other accountants and bookkeepers, fostering technical excellence while contributing to a well-structured, positive work environment.

This is primarily an onsite role with plenty of room for flexible arrangements.

Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

As Team Leader – Business Services & Tax, you’ll be the backbone of our accounting team—leading, reviewing, and ensuring top-quality work before it reaches the Director. You won’t just manage workflows; you’ll coach, train, and elevate the people around you and ensure things are running like a well-oiled machine.

• Support the Director by ensuring jobs are completed on time, accurately, and to a high standard.
• Review, refine, and sign off on work from your team, ensuring it's 100% ready for the final review.
• Train and mentor your team, developing their technical expertise across financial statement preparation, tax returns, bookkeeping, and payroll processing.
• Supervise a team that may include Senior Accountants, Intermediate Accountants, Graduate Accountants, and Bookkeepers at various levels—helping them deliver their best work.
• Work alongside accountants and bookkeepers, ensuring seamless collaboration, strong technical execution, and continuous improvement.
• Step in as a technical expert, assisting the Director and Client Managers with strategic client work when needed.

This role is all about leadership without the client-facing pressure—perfect for a detail-driven accounting pro who thrives on developing people, refining processes, and delivering outstanding work.

About You

• You take pride in producing accurate, high-quality work and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
• You're a stickler for detail and doing the right thing.
• You value collaboration, clear processes, and high standards—delivering work that keeps the team aligned, clients happy, and the business running at peak efficiency.
• You’re ready for your next long-term career move, not just a steppingstone—this role is critical to PAL’s ongoing success and you’re ready to play a key part in it.

Qualifications and experience:

• CPA or CA qualified
• Must currently live in Australia and hold a legal right to work in Australia.
• 5+ years Australian tax experience in public practice.
• 2+ years people/workflow management experience.

Hard Skills:

• Tax Expertise: Expert knowledge of Australian tax and compliance, with a commitment to staying on top of industry changes and external factors that impact clients.
• High Attention to Detail: Deliver and review 100% accurate work.
• Workflow Efficiency: Strong understanding of workflow management and production efficiency. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced in Xero, Microsoft Office (Excel)
• Clear Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills - you can make the complex simple.

Soft Skills:

• Leadership & Mentorship – Support and guide junior staff with approachability, empathy, and a commitment to team cohesion.
• Organisation & Problem-Solving – Strong time management, structured workflow approach, and the ability to resolve challenges effectively.
• Adaptability & Growth Mindset – You’re up for new challenges, always learning, and focused on improving yourself and your work.
• Proactive & Solutions-Focused – Anticipate needs, take initiative, and bring a positive, problem-solving energy to the team.
• Integrity & Accountability – You care about doing the right thing - keeping things honest, reliable, and holding yourself and the team to high standards.

Salary

Competitive salary package starting from $100K - $120K + negotiable pending skills, exposure, and experience.

Sound like you? Apply now and help us redefine how accounting and advisory should feel. Along with your CV, a short cover letter touching on why you'd be a great fit for this role would be great.