Herbert Smith Freehills

Assistant Accountant

Sydney Full time

The Opportunity

We are looking for an Assistant Accountant to join our Finance team in our Sydney office.

Please note, this is a parental leave cover ending in September 2027.

This position offers an opportunity to work across reconciliations, reporting, and month-end activities while contributing to process improvements and leveraging emerging technologies. We’re looking for a detail-oriented, proactive individual who thrives in a collaborative environment, demonstrates strong technical skills, and is eager to grow within a forward-thinking organisation.

What you’ll do

  • Perform daily system balancing checks and distribute reporting.

  • Ensure bank reconciliations are completed on time, with all reconciling items followed up and cleared appropriately.

  • Maintain prepayment schedules, ensuring accuracy and timely journaling of entries into the General Ledger.

  • Conduct daily reconciliation between HR System (Workday) and Financial Practice Management System (Expert).

  • Complete weekly suspense reconciliations.

  • Manage the Intercompany reconciliation process, with the focus on international charges between offices.

  • Ensure relevant general ledger reconciliations are completed on time, with all reconciling items cleared.

  • Oversee manual invoice management for the Firm.

  • Provide support to the Treasury Manager in cash forecasting, tracking, and posting related monthly journals (as required).

  • Assist in monthly close and year-end processes, including timely preparation of month-end files and audit requests.

  • Undertake ad-hoc General Ledger team tasks, administration, and analysis work.

What you’ll bring

  • 2-3 years’ experience in a similar role.

  • Studying towards or completed accounting diploma/degree.

  • Strong organisation, time management, and ability to meet deadlines.

  • High attention to detail, good judgement, and problem-solving skills.

  • Initiative and effective decision-making.

  • Intermediate to advanced Excel proficiency.

  • Interest in AI and emerging technologies.

  • Works independently with strong self-direction.

  • Builds collaborative relationships and supports team engagement.

  • Demonstrates technical knowledge and proactive problem-solving.

  • Behaves consistently with firm values and represents the brand positively.

  • Focused on achieving quality outcomes and meeting timeframes.

  • Adapts to challenges and seeks efficient solutions.

  • An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

What you can expect from us

  • We’re a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client-centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution-focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.

  • We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.

  • We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.

  • We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you’ll have it and we’ll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.

  • For more benefits on offer such as our holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please click here.

  • Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia’s market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

Please note, we will be closing for the holidays. We aim to review all applications when we return to the office in mid-January.

Team

Business Finance

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

Sydney

Contract type

Maximum Term Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.