At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing team and manage an established client portfolio.
- Company: Respected mid-tier accounting practice in Sydney CBD with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Market-leading salary, annual reviews, bonuses, and a clear pathway to equity partnership.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with mentorship and genuine influence over practice direction.
- Why this job: Shape the future of the firm while building trusted client relationships.
- Qualifications: CA, CPA or equivalent with significant public practice experience.
The predicted salary is between 180000 - 210000 $ per year.
A rare opportunity has become available for an experienced Business Services leader to step into a senior client-facing role with a clear pathway to equity. This is more than a traditional Associate Director position—it is an opportunity to inherit an established client portfolio, build deep advisory relationships and play a key role in shaping the future of a respected mid-tier accounting practice.
About the Firm
Our client is a well-established accounting practice located in a central location close to transport hubs. With a strong reputation for practical, forward-thinking advice, the firm works closely with SMEs, family businesses and long-standing generational clients who value continuity, technical excellence and trusted relationships. The practice has a collaborative and relationship-led culture, with an emphasis on insightful advice, authentic client partnerships, dynamic service delivery and strong internal connection across teams.
The Opportunity
As Associate Director you will lead a high-performing Business Services and Advisory team while managing your own portfolio of established clients generating approximately $1m in annual fees. You will act as a trusted adviser and key point of contact, providing commercial, taxation and business advisory solutions as client needs evolve over time. You will work closely with the Founding Partners as they transition their client base to the right person, creating a genuine succession pathway toward equity partnership and future ownership. Your focus will be on relationship-led service delivery, where understanding each client’s business, family context and history is just as important as delivering technically excellent work.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing Business Services and Advisory team.
- Manage workflow, productivity, review processes and technical quality across the team.
- Act as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of established SME, family business and generational clients.
- Deliver high-quality compliance, taxation and advisory services across a diverse client base.
- Provide strategic business advice and identify opportunities to add value through advisory work.
- Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships based on trust, continuity and commercial insight.
- Work closely with Partners on strategic matters, business growth and succession planning.
- Ensure exceptional client service while maintaining professional standards and internal quality processes.
- Contribute to the firm’s future direction and play a key role in the pathway to equity ownership.
About You
You are a qualified accounting professional with substantial public practice experience, strong technical capability and a genuine passion for delivering outstanding outcomes for clients. You enjoy building trusted relationships, leading people and providing advice that goes beyond year-end compliance. To be successful in this role, you will have:
- CA, CPA or equivalent professional qualification.
- Significant Australian public practice experience in Business Services and Tax.
- Experience operating at Manager, Senior Manager or Associate Director level.
- Strong Australian tax knowledge and commercial advisory capability.
- Proven leadership, coaching and people management skills.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building and client service skills.
- Confidence managing complex client needs while maintaining high professional standards.
- Proficiency with accounting software and business applications, including Excel, Xero, MYOB and similar platforms.
- A commercial mindset and an aspiration to progress toward equity ownership.
What’s on Offer
- A clear pathway to equity partnership and future ownership.
- An awesome group of friendly people and professional mentors to work and collaborate with.
- The opportunity to inherit an established client portfolio from the Founding Partner.
- A senior leadership role with genuine influence over the future of the practice.
- Market-leading salary package with annual salary reviews and guaranteed high bonus paid.
- Modern offices conveniently located.
- A collaborative culture focused on trusted relationships, high-quality advice and long-term client outcomes.
Associate Director - Business Services, Advisory & Tax in Sydney employer: Hamilton York Pty
Join a respected mid-tier accounting practice in the heart of Sydney CBD, where you will not only lead a high-performing team but also inherit an established client portfolio with a genuine pathway to equity partnership. The firm prides itself on its collaborative culture and commitment to delivering insightful, relationship-led advice, ensuring that you have the support and mentorship needed for professional growth. With a market-leading salary package and a focus on long-term client relationships, this is an exceptional opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their career.
