Finance Controller

Smithsgroup2; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths in Melbourne seeks a Finance Leader to oversee financial reporting, balance sheet integrity, and statutory obligations. You will partner with local management to drive performance and governance, guiding a high-performing finance team.

The role requires a CPA/CA-type qualification, 5+ years in finance leadership or controllership, and strong analytics with SAP expertise. A strategic partner, you will support improvements and cross-functional collaboration within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related discipline.
• Professionally qualified accountant (CPA/ACCA/CA/CIMA or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years in finance leadership or controllership with reporting, controls, and business support responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely financial reporting including month-end close, budgets, forecasts, and management reporting.
• Maintain balance sheet integrity with robust review and control processes for provisions and accruals.
• Lead statutory reporting and external audit processes with local regulators and auditors.
• Drive internal audit by coordinating with internal auditors and addressing findings and actions.
• Oversee preparation and submission of statutory accounts, tax filings, and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a trusted business partner to local management, providing financial leadership and governance stewardship.
• Lead and develop the local finance team to meet current and future needs.
• Support finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Finance leadership

Controllership

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related discipline

Tools

SAP

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery of financial reporting, including month-end close, budgets, forecasts, management reporting, and other financial information required by the business, with a strong focus on supporting operational and commercial decision-making.
• Maintain the integrity of the balance sheet through robust review and control processes, ensuring provisions, accruals, and other accounting estimates are appropriate and compliant with divisional policies and accounting standards.
• Lead and oversee the statutory reporting and external audit process, working closely with auditors to ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements and timely completion of all statutory obligations.
• Drive the internal audit programme by coordinating with internal auditors, facilitating successful audit outcomes, and ensuring timely resolution of audit findings and action plans.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of statutory accounts, tax filings, and other regulatory requirements, ensuring full compliance with local laws and regulations.
• Act as a trusted business partner to local management and key stakeholders to provide financial leadership, strategic insights, and governance oversight that support business performance and effective decision-making.
• Lead, develop, and manage the local finance organization, ensuring the team is appropriately structured, resourced, and capable of meeting current and future business requirements.
• Lead or support finance transformation initiatives, process improvement projects, and other ad hoc assignments as required to support business objectives and continuous improvement.

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related discipline.
• Professionally qualified accountant (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a finance leadership or controllership role, with demonstrated responsibility for financial reporting, controls, and business support.
• Well-rounded combination of technical accounting knowledge, financial analysis, commercial acumen, and business partnering experience.
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities, with the ability to develop, coach, and motivate high-performing team.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented approach, with the ability to build trusted partnerships and work effectively across functions, cultures, and organizational levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and present complex financial matters clearly and concisely.
• Proficient in SAP and other financial systems, with strong knowledge of financial reporting and control processes.
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively, think strategically, and execute with discipline in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, adaptability, and a continuous improvement mindset, driving positive outcomes through teamwork and collaboration.

With colleagues stretching across the globe, we are proud of our diversity. To foster inclusivity, we run employee resource groups (ERGs) to provide a safe space for employees to connect and support each other. Our cross-business ERGs include Veterans, Pride Network, Black Employee Network, Women@Work Network, and Neurodiversity.

Across our company, we recognize excellence, culminating in the Smiths Excellence Awards, our annual celebration of the most extraordinary activities, people, and projects that best showcase our strengths and help drive our business forward. We announce these on our annual Smiths Day, a global celebration of Smiths around our network.

Join us for a great career with competitive compensation and benefits, while helping engineer a better future.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.