Senior Principal Accountant

• Finance and Business Services - Contracts & Grants Accounting section

• 2 x full-time, permanent positions

• Base salary will be in the range $115,645 - $129, % Superannuation (HEW Level 8)

• Based at our vibrant St Lucia campus

Known locally as the Senior Principal Accountant (SPA), you will provide accurate, timely, and professional accounting and other support to the accounting and external reporting services of the Contract & Grants Accounting Section within Corporate Finance.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Contract and Grants Accounting, the SPA is responsible for the preparation of financial statements and acquittals in respect of external revenue and capital grant funding received at the University.

• Prepare financial statements and acquittals for external funding, perform audit analysis, coordinate with auditors, and assist with the University's annual financial statements and research data reporting.

• Maintain the Grants Module in UniFi, including project maintenance, exception report correction, and inputting financial requirements.

• Provide strategic support on grant reporting, research accounting, and integration of policies, advising on complex grant reporting and reconciliation.

• Analyse and interpret legal award letters and contracts to identify financial clauses and requirements, recording findings in UQ's financial system to ensure compliance.

• A degree (preferably in Commerce or Business) with substantial relevant experience.

• Membership of a professional accounting body (e.g., CPA/ICA).

• Experience in in performing accounting reconciliations and the ability to prepare financial reports e.g., income and expenditure statements.

• Advanced knowledge of common PC based applications, e.g., spreadsheets, databases, email, and word processing.

• Good interpersonal and written skills including effective liaison and consultative skills, the ability to write and prepare reports and communicate effectively with diverse groups, as well as represent and promote FBS at the University and wider community level, including Industry, Government, and professional bodies.

• Proven organisational skills and demonstrated ability to meet schedules and tight deadlines on a consistent basis.

• Working knowledge of transaction auditing processes, accounting standards and their application in reporting processes.

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to analyse complex contractual financial requirements and document them for viewing/use/compliance across UQ.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check etc. 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Miss Ivy Lee (Senior Manager, Contracts & Grants) via

For application queries, please contact stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the 'About You' section  

• Resume 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion.  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability, or age. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to   

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board. 

Applications close Sunday 9 November 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R

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