Deputy CFO

Learning Links; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 220,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Hybrid working

Career development

Team culture

Parking & novated lease

Digital device benefits

Job summary

Learning Links is seeking a Deputy CFO in Sydney to lead month-end and year-end closes, forecasting, budgeting and business partnering. The role manages three direct reports and influences finance and digital transformation projects with the GM Finance & Digital Transformation.

You’ll bring a professional accounting qualification and the ability to translate complex financials for non-finance stakeholders, while strengthening financial stewardship for impact across children and families.

Qualifications

• CA/CPA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Strong capability in accounting, forecasting, budgeting and cashflow management.
• Ability to translate financials for non-finance stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Deliver accurate month-end and year-end closes with quality reporting.
• Manage cashflow, forecasts and government acquittals with accuracy.
• Lead budgeting and partner services to operational managers.
• Improve finance systems and processes with the team.

Skills

Accounting expertise

Forecasting

Budgeting

Cashflow management

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Professional accounting qualification (CA/CPA/ACCA)

Tools

Certinia

Salesforce

Job description

At Learning Links, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive. We are committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and creating a genuine sense of belonging, supported by talented people who are passionate about making a difference.

We’re looking for a Deputy CFO who combines strong technical accounting judgement To strengthen financial stewardship so we can continue to grow our impact for children and families. This role is suited to someone who takes pride in precision, backs their team to perform, and wants to help build a future-fit finance function for a purpose-led organisation.

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, this Deputy CFO role, based in our Alexandria office leads the finance cycle end-to-end — month-end and year-end close, cashflow and forecasting, budgeting and business partnering, and the systems and people behind all of it — with three direct reports.

Why Join Learning Links?

Joining Learning Links means becoming part of a collaborative, values-driven organisation dedicated to helping children and young people thrive.

Learning Links has over 50 years’ experience delivering evidence-based therapy, education and support services that help children build the skills and confidence to learn, develop and thrive. We work closely with families, schools and professionals to create a community where difficulties learning are no longer a barrier to a fulfilling life.

At Learning Links, you’ll enjoy:

• Salary packaging benefits up to $18,549, helping you make the most of your take-home pay
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements available
• Career development and ongoing training opportunities
• A supportive and collaborative team culture
• Car parking, novated lease and digital device benefits
• The opportunity to contribute to meaningful outcomes for children, families and communities

What Success Looks Like in This Role

Success in this role will be measured through accurate reporting, strong cashflow management, trusted business partnering and a capable, well-led team. In this role, you will:

Month End & Year End

• Deliver accurate and timely month-end closes, consistently meeting agreed timeframes.
• Lead smooth, well-planned year-end processes with high-quality financial reporting.
• Coordinate an external audit that results in minimal findings.

Cashflow & Forecasting

• Monitor daily and monthly cashflow actively, ensuring strong liquidity management.
• Produce monthly forecasts with clear assumptions, variance analysis and insights for decision-making.
• Complete and lodge all government-funded acquittals accurately and on time.

Budgeting & Business Partnering

• Lead the annual budget cycle from planning to delivery.
• Equip service delivery managers with timely, easy-to-understand financial information that improves operational and financial decision-making.
• Build trusted relationships that lift financial confidence and capability across the organisation.

Financial Systems & Process Improvement

• Review finance processes and identify where accuracy or efficiency can be improved.
• Uplift system utilisation, so the finance team’s systems and processes work together effectively.
• Contribute actively to finance and digital transformation projects led by the GM Finance & Digital Transformation.
• Maintain a positive, high-performing team culture across your direct reports (Senior Accountant, Payroll Officer and Financial Accountant – Housie).
• Set clear expectations and provide regular coaching and support to each direct report.
• Build capability across the broader finance function this role works alongside, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll.

About You

You are someone who leads with precision and calm authority. You enjoy turning complex financial information into clear guidance non-finance colleagues can act on, and you take pride in building a finance function – and a finance team – that others trust.

You will bring:

• A professional accounting qualification: CA, ACA, CPA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
• Strong technical capability across accounting, forecasting, budgeting and cashflow management
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate finance for non-finance stakeholders
• Experience leading small finance teams and supporting a broad range of functions (AP, AR, payroll, treasury, reporting)
• High attention to detail and comfort working in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders

You’ll stand out if you:

• Have experience in a not-for-profit or professional services environment
• Are familiar with finance and CRM systems, ideally Certinia and Salesforce
• Share our commitment to child safety, respectful collaboration and improving outcomes for children and families

What This Role Offers You

This role is ideal for someone wanting to:

• Own the finance cycle end-to-end, from month-end through statutory audit
• Build genuine influence as a trusted finance partner to the CFO and Leadership Team
• Lead and grow a capable, close-knit finance team
• Help shape a finance and digital transformation program from the inside

You’ll gain valuable exposure to strategic financial leadership while contributing to the financial sustainability of a purpose-led organisation in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Child Safety

Learning Links is a child-safe organisation committed to the safety, welfare, wellbeing, rights and best interests of children and young people as the paramount consideration.

Successful applicants will be required to complete:

• Working with Children Check