Full job description
Challenger Limited is an ASX-listed investment management firm managing $127 billion in assets (as at 30 June 2024). Life with us is fast moving and always exciting. Together we’re driving to deliver our vision to provide our customers with financial security for a better retirement.

We achieve this goal by providing a work environment where people from diverse backgrounds, with a range of skills and experiences can contribute and succeed.
Due to an internal promotion, we have an opportunity to join us as a Financial Accountant in our Life Financial Control Team
You'll be joining a friendly and collaborative team, who are passionate about supporting each other and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in everything they do.
This role is perfect for someone newly qualified or nearing qualification as a CA/CPA, who is eager to learn the ropes and grow within a complex and supportive environment.
This position offers a clear progression path, with excellent career advancement opportunities.
We work flexibly from our Sydney CBD Office where you can expect to work 3 days in the office and 2 days from home.
About the role
As one of our Financial Accountants you’ll be assisting in the management of the general ledger, providing accurate and timely information, and ensuring data supports all reporting and compliance requirements. For example, statutory reporting, management reporting, tax lodgements, APRA reporting, capital reporting.
You’ll have your own portfolio of assigned entities/groups and will take the lead on the management of their books.
You’ll get broad exposure across a variety of asset types and financial instruments. You’ll gain hands-on experience with both domestic and foreign entities, working directly with stakeholders across the business to develop a good understanding of the Challenger Life business.

Key responsibilities will include (but aren’t limited to)
Month-End Close: Lead the accurate and timely month-end ledger close activities for your assigned entities. This includes preparing and reviewing journal postings, checking processes, and investigating discrepancies.
Reconciliation & Analysis: Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations and ensure transactions in assigned entities have been booked correctly in systems by our Middle Office teams. You’ll also be involved in analysing the performance our investments and provide insightful commentary. Working closely with the management reporting teams, you’ll also be involved in the management reporting month end to help analyse and reconcile the walk from statutory to management results.
Project Work & Reporting: Get involved in the preparation of statutory accounts for assigned entities and assist with the preparation of the Challenger Life Company Limited annual report, with significant contributions to the ASX Listed Challenger Limited annual report.
Continuous Improvement: Play a key role in identifying opportunities to improve processes, ensuring that controls are in place to manage risks effectively.

About the team
Life Financial Control is a team of 12 working towards the common goal of delivering our statutory results. Team members share common tasks and work collaboratively, as well as owning unique tasks depending on the individual’s role and experience.
Challenger Life is an interesting business with a complex balance sheet offering many opportunities to be involved in non-standard transactions in an environment that provides great exposure and breadth of experience in role.
The skills you’ll need
You will be newly qualified as a CA/CPA (or equivalent), or nearing qualification completion.
Previous experience in financial services is preferred. If you’re coming from a Big 4 or Top 10 firm, this could be your first move out of practice into an industry role.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications is essential. You should be comfortable working with large datasets, with the ability to synthesize and analyse financial information.
You’ll also have
Sound understanding of financial accounting principles.
Fantastic verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Knowledge in Tax, GST, and other regulatory requirements
Ability to work effectively in a team environment, you’ll be as comfortable working collaboratively as you are when working independently.
Additional Information
Working at Challenger means being part of a diverse, connected team that has fun and loves what they do. We’re small enough, but big enough to accelerate bold ideas, realising what’s possible for our customers and partners.
At Challenger, we provide access to a range of exclusive employee benefits that will support you both personally and professionally and a hybrid work environment including.
Discretionary bonus scheme.
Eighteen weeks paid leave for all new parents.
Flexibility on when, and how, parental leave is taken.
Challenger Day – one extra day off every year in recognition of the effort our people make.
Additional support leave (fertility treatment leave, gender affirmation leave).
Extra superannuation contributions.
Employee share plan.

#LI-KM1
#LI-Challenger
#LI-Hybrid
We value inclusion and diversity of thought, promote flexible working practices so our people can integrate their work and personal lives, and are proud to be a Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality.
We believe in bringing your authentic self and a belonging in our culture. We are prideful in participating in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) as a national benchmark on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion and best practice in Australia. We offer the opportunity for a broad career experience and value people who are inquisitive and rigorous and are driven to make a difference.
Job type:
Permanent
Posting Close Date :
19/10/2024

About Us

Life at Challenger is fast moving and always exciting. Together we’re driving to deliver our vision to provide our customers with financial security for retirement.
Our people bring their diverse backgrounds and perspectives to a workplace which is inclusive, flexible, and driven by our values – act with integrity, aim high, collaborate and think customer.
Our environment is one where our passionate teams can thrive. Our people quickly discover that a role at Challenger is much more than just a job. Our working environment is unique and encourages our employees to share their ideas and feel empowered to tackle new opportunities.