Manager - External Reporting & Accounting

Manager – External Reporting and Accounting

• Based in our Head Office in North Sydney
• Lead Pacific National’s financial reporting and governance activities at a national level
• Competitive salary with great employee benefits

About us

As Australia’s largest private rail freight company, we are integral in keeping Australia’s economy moving. With a rich history dating back to 1855 we are incredibly proud of our heritage and the essential role we continue to play in supporting Australia’s supply chain. We haul a variety of freight including coal, intermodal containers, steel, and a range of bulk commodities and materials. 

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Financial Control, you will take the lead in managing all aspects of Pacific National’s internal and external financial reporting. Acting as the subject matter expert in technical accounting, you’ll ensure the business meets its reporting obligations, maintain accounting policies, and drive compliance with a robust internal control framework.

In this leadership role, you will also:

• Prepare and submit financial statements and other external reports in compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and corporate policies.
• Provide technical accounting advice and accounting position papers to senior stakeholders, including the Audit & Risk Committee.
• Consolidate the existing accounting policy manual, document key processes across financial control functions.
• Manage treasury accounting function including hedge accounting, impairment models and ESG reporting.
• Coordinate external audit processes, manage auditor queries, and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Champion continuous improvement in reporting systems and finance processes.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and performance management to a team of accounting professionals, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.

About You

You’re an experienced finance professional with deep technical accounting knowledge, strong leadership skills, and a passion for accuracy and compliance. You are proactive, collaborative, and able to influence at all levels, including at Board level.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• CPA or CA qualification
• At least 5 - 10 years’ experience preferably a good mix of professional services firm including managerial roles in finance or accounting
• Demonstrated experience in preparing financial statements for public disclosure (ideally in a listed environment)
• Strong understanding of internal controls, treasury and corporate accounting
• A process improvement mindset, with experience leading change and leveraging BI tools
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build a high-performing team

The benefits

We prioritise diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where every team member is valued and can bring their authentic selves to work. When you join us, you'll have the opportunity to: 

• Pursue growth and career development 
• Access mentoring programs 
• Enjoy paid parental leave up to 14 weeks (with superannuation) after just 6 months of service 
• Access our Employee Assistance Program for confidential counselling, free for you and your eligible family members 
• Benefit from novated leasing and discounts on select health insurance, travel, retail brands, and more. 

To find out more about Pacific National, our benefits and opportunities we offer, visit our careers page: www.pacificnational.com.au/careers. We are proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for women, and you can visit our Work180 page Pacific National | WORK180 Endorsed Employer to find out more! 

We are seeking applicants who share our values: Make it simple, Share More, Kindness, Gratitude, Curiosity, and Own it. These values help us achieve strong connections with everyone we work with and play an important part in motivating us all to do our best work. 

What our employees say about working at Pacific National: 

Pacific National’s Women Connect Series 2023 was a fantastic event, beyond networking it gives women confidence in the workplace.

Closing date

Applications close on the 4^th of May 2025

Next steps

Are you ready to be part of our future? Click on the 'Apply' button and follow the prompts.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of​ the land on which we work, live and rail.​ We pay respect to Elders past, present and future and to the​ continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices​ of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.