Group Financial Controller (Australian Accounting Domain)

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting, Compliance & Audit

• Own the month-end close process across the Group.
• Oversee group accountant, with overseeing covering the day-to-day operation , from general ledger and accounts payable through to reconciliations and reporting.
• Process accounts payable and calculate agent commissions.
• Prepare month-end journals and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate, timely monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports.
• Support monitoring of cash flow, working capital and the financial health of the business.
• Manage financial reconciliations and end-of-month reporting processes.
• Review and approve journals, accruals, prepayments and month-end adjustments.
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Investigate and resolve financial discrepancies and reconciling items.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and supporting financial records.
• Prepare and lodge BAS, payroll tax returns and other statutory reporting obligations.
• Responsible for analyzing the P&L and KPIs
• Prepare month P&L and KPI summary.
• Conduct variance analysis month on month, quarter on quarter
• Assist controllers in analyzing the margins for customers and projects
• Prepare accounting entries for accruals etc. as needed monthly
• Perform actuals vs forecast and budget variance analysis on costs with detailed breakdown, challenge actuals as needed
• Monitor compliance with relevant taxation, financial and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate the annual external audit process, manage auditor relationships, and prepare audit documentation and responses.

Revenue, Governance & Risk Management

• Reconcile and monitor the Group's suspense and clearing accounts, including revenue, student debtors and related transactions.
• Support accurate revenue recognition and balance sheet integrity.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls across the finance function.
• Ensure financial policies, procedures and delegated authorities are consistently applied.
• Identify control gaps, financial risks and compliance issues, and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Review finance processes to safeguard Group assets and support strong financial governance.

Finance Operations, Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Provide final review and sign-off of payroll files and supplier payment batches.
• Ensure finance transactions are processed accurately and in accordance with approved controls and delegations.
• Lead finance system administration, process improvement and automation initiatives, finance-related platforms.
• Support compliance with relevant legislation, accounting standards, tax regulations and audit requirements.
• Help maintain strong internal controls to safeguard Group assets and ensure accurate financial data.
• Assist with the coordination of external audit activities, preparing schedules and information as required.
• Support finance transformation projects, system implementations and process redesign initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting efficiency, data quality, controls and automation.

Team Support & Leadership

• Act as a technical accounting resource for the wider finance team.
• Provide coaching, guidance and support to team members.
• Support capability development within the finance function.
• Deputise for the Group Financial Controller as required.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• CA/CPA qualified (or nearing completion), having vast experience with Australian Accounting
• 5+ years' post-qualification experience in a technical accounting, financial reporting or audit role
• Strong understanding of month-end close, reconciliations and statutory compliance (BAS, payroll tax)
• Experience managing an external audit process highly regarded
• Genuinely curious about systems and technology, with a track record of improving processes (AI/automation experience a plus)
• Comfortable reviewing and providing constructive feedback on others' work
• Thrives in a hands-on, evolving environment as part of a growing private-equity-backed business

Desirable

• Experience within the Australian Accounting.
• Experience with xero or similar ERP/ accounting management systems.
• Experience implementing finance systems, automation, and AI-enabled solutions.
• Exposure to finance transformation projects.