Chief Accountant

About IDP

IDP is the global leader in international education services, delivering global success to students, test takers and our partners, through trusted human relationships, digital technology and customer research. An Australian-listed company, we operate in more than 50 countries around the world.

Our team is comprised of over 7,000 people of various nationalities, ages and cultural backgrounds. Proudly customer-first, our expert people are powered by global technology. Together, we offer unmatched services, helping local dreams become realities, all over the world.

Learn more at www.careers.idp.com

Role purpose

The Chief Accountant leads the country accounting function and ensures the accuracy, integrity and timely delivery of all financial records and statutory reporting. The role owns the general ledger, period-end close, balance-sheet governance, local compliance, tax coordination, internal controls and audit readiness, while providing reliable financial insight to country and regional leadership.

Key accountabilities

• Accounting leadership and financial control
• General ledger, close and balance-sheet governance
• Statutory reporting, tax, audit and local compliance

Detailed Description

Financial Management

• Lead the country accounting function, establish clear priorities and ensure high-quality, timely execution of all accounting activities.
• Own the monthly, quarterly and annual close, review financial results and explain performance, risks and material variances against budget and forecast.
• Ensure complete and timely statutory, tax, regulatory and group reporting, coordinating with external advisers and regional finance where required.
• Maintain robust accounting policies, close procedures and documentation, applying sound judgement to complex or non-routine transactions.
• Provide technical accounting guidance to the business and act as the principal country contact for accounting, control and financial compliance matters.

GL Reconciliation

• Own the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts, approve journals and ensure all balance-sheet accounts are reconciled, reviewed and supported.

Detailed Description

Local Accounting Requirements

• Ensure compliance with local accounting standards, tax legislation, statutory filing requirements and group policies; oversee the preparation and review of returns and supporting schedules.
• Concurrently perform multiple assignments
• Document accounting transactions, using procedures defined by internal & external stakeholders
• Review contracts, orders and vouchers for accuracy based on established policies and procedures
• Maintain an effective internal-control environment, identify control gaps and drive timely remediation in partnership with country and regional management.
• Lead the finance contribution to the annual budget and forecast process, ensuring assumptions are supported and financial impacts are clearly communicated.
• Partner with country leadership, regional finance, auditors, banks, tax advisers and other stakeholders with a high degree of independence and professional credibility.
• Collect data and perform research on the details of transactions
• Lead finance improvement initiatives and other strategic or operational projects assigned by country or regional leadership.

Required experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline; a recognised professional accounting qualification is strongly preferred.
• Strong ERP and financial-systems capability; Oracle experience is highly desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, closing and consolidation, internal controls, statutory reporting, taxation and audit requirements.
• 8–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including responsibility for financial close, reporting, compliance and controls; prior team leadership or supervisory experience is required.