Project Accountant
Description
Job Title: Project Accountant / Analyst
Group/Team: Finance
Reports to: Commercial Finance Lead
Location: Sydney, Hybrid
Employment Type: FT, salaried
Travel Requirements: 10%
WHO WE ARE
OPUS AGENCY
The Opus Agency, Asia Pacific is a future-forward full-service global event agency with over 400 team members in the United States, London, Sydney, Singapore, and New Zealand.
The world’s leading brands and upstart category creators trust Opus Agency with their flagship programs and holistic event portfolios. Across four decades, our story is one of realisation—a realisation of outstanding talent, a nurtured culture, and integrated end-to-end capabilities. To us, it's simple: success is propelled through the power and potential of people coming together.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Project Accountant / Analyst is responsible for supporting the financial management of client events from initial budgeting, project tracking, client billing & expenses, through to post-event reconciliation. Working closely with Producers, Project Managers, Creative teams, and Senior Management, this role ensures projects are cost-effective, financially controlled, and aligned with commercial targets. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, fast-paced, and comfortable working in a dynamic events environment.
(The role will primarily be 60% Project Management & 40% Accounting)
YOU SHOULD HAVE
- 1–4+ years experience in project management, project accounting, financial analysis or a similar commercial finance role
- Experience supporting project-based work (events, creative agencies, production,media, consulting, or professional services)
- Exposure to pricing, project budgeting, cost tracking, and analysing actuals vs forecasts
- Hands-on experience processing invoices, purchase orders, cost allocations, and reconciliations
- Comfortable working with suppliers, internal teams, and project leads to gather financial information and resolve variances
- Strong Excel / Google Sheets skills
- Good understanding of core accounting principles (accruals, prepayments, revenue recognition basics)
- Ability to interpret job budgets, WIP schedules, and margin report
- Prior experience using Xero and Sage Intacct will be highly regarded
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Proactively liaise with the Project Management team on project status and forecast updates
- Own the end-to-end project lifecycle, from the financial perspective
- Manage project accounts receivable, invoicing & payments
- Ensure timely job closure and revenue recognition process (under US GAAP), job transfer journals & audit of COGS report
- Develop, maintain, and track project budgets, cost estimates, and financial forecasts
- Monitor actual vs forecast costs and flag variances with Project Managers
- Manage the allocation of internal and external costs (suppliers, freelancers, venues, production, logistics)
- Ensure accurate job costing, margin tracking, and profitability reporting across all events
- Provide regular project status reports, WIP summaries, and actionable insights for account leads and finance leadership
- Build dashboards or tracking tools to improve visibility of project financial performance
- Ensure agency processes for quoting, purchase orders, and cost approvals are followed
- Partner with Producers, Operations, Creative, and Client Service teams to ensure financial transparency.
- Assist with audits, month-end close, and reconciliation duties as required.
- Analyze data, financial data and non-financial data, and succinctly present results to colleagues
- and clients
- Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
One direct report based in Sydney
COMPETENCIES
- Financial Management & Analysis
- Project Accounting
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Cost Control & Variance Analysis
- Revenue Recognition (US GAAP)
- Job Costing & Margin Tracking
- Financial Reporting
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Commercial Acumen
- Accounts Receivable & Invoicing
- Reconciliation & Month-End Processes
- Supplier & Cost Management
- Process Compliance & Audit Support
- Dashboard & Tracking Tool Development
- Systems Proficiency (Excel/Sheets, Xero, Sage Intacct)
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Cross-Functional Communication
- Problem Solving & Attention to Detail
- Project Management
- Time Management & Prioritisation
- Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments
- Results Orientationg
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN RETURN
- High-powered tech to help you perform your best
- Work with global, market leading brands
- Global travel opportunities
- Paid Birthday leave
- Paid monthly wellness day
- Regular social events
- A hybrid work environment
- A vibrant, modern workplace
- A competitive Paid Parental leave policy
- An in-house L&D program
- Additional funds allocated to your personal learning & development
NOT SURE IF YOU SHOULD APPLY?
Studies show that those identifying as under-represented individuals might have talked themselves out of applying at this point. Don’t worry about checking every single box. At The Opus Group, we are dedicated to building a versatile, inclusive team with a variety of backgrounds and a growth mindset - so if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every single item listed in this job description, we encourage you to apply. You may just be the right candidate for this role, or we may have other roles that better align with your skillset.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Individuals will be required to sit for the majority of the day and may be required to stand as needed. May require ability to ambulate primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Individuals may be required to travel via airplane, train, taxi, car and/or other means of transportation, as needed.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
OTHER DUTIES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This position requires verification of Australian citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions and/or proof of right to work. The ability to meet The Opus Group background screening process are required for this role.
The Opus Group does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.