Finance Manager

Mancala; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mancala is seeking an experienced Project Finance Manager to join our Finance team in Melbourne. This hands-on role focuses on project accounting, cost control, forecasting and management reporting, while supporting broader finance functions.

You will partner with operational teams to manage project profitability, validate tender inputs, and drive commercial insights that influence decisions. Strong leadership, CA/CPA and mining/engineering sector exposure are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Accounting/Finance degree and professional certification preferred.
• CA/CPA designation strongly preferred and 5+ years of experience in project accounting.
• Experience in mining/construction/engineering sectors is advantageous.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, tender costing and project profitability skills.
• Advanced Excel and analytics tools; exposure to Pronto Xi, Power BI or Cognos is valuable.
• Australian payroll and Accounts Payable experience are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage project financial performance including P&Ls, costs, margins, budgets, forecasts, variances and risks.
• Partner with operations to control costs, address overruns and improve profitability.
• Support tender costing and budgeting, validate inputs and challenge assumptions.
• Oversee cost allocations, accruals, WIP, unbilled revenue and revenue recognition with Senior Accountant.
• Prepare management reporting, budgets, cash flow forecasts and commercial analysis with clear recommendations.
• Identify financial risks and drive cost-control, process and financial-control improvements.
• Lead and develop Finance staff while remaining hands-on in accounting and analysis.
• Provide month-end support and backup for payroll and Accounts Payable as required.

Skills

Finance leadership

CA/CPA

5+ years experience

Project costing

Budgeting

Forecasting

Tender costing

Pronto Xi

Excel

Power BI

Cognos

PaysOnline

Automation in finance

Australian payroll

Accounts payable

Commercial judgement

Staff leadership

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

CA/CPA certification

Tools

Pronto Xi

Excel

Power BI

Cognos

Paysonline

Job description

At Mancala, our people are at the heart of everything we do. For more than 35 years, The Mancala Group has delivered specialised mining services across Australia and internationally, built on our core values of Safety, Quality, Integrity, Innovation, and People.

Our reputation has been earned through a commitment to safe work practices, reliable equipment, and experienced teams that consistently deliver outstanding results. As we continue to grow, we're looking for talented individuals who share our passion for excellence and want to be part of a team that genuinely values its people.

The Opportunity

Mancala is seeking an experienced Project Finance Manager to join our Finance team. This is a hands-on role suited to an accountant who enjoys working closely with operational stakeholders and providing meaningful financial information to support commercial decision-making.

The position will have a strong focus on project accounting, cost control, forecasting, financial analysis and management reporting, while also providing practical support across the broader Finance function when required.

What You'll Be Doing

No two days are the same in this role. Your responsibilities will include:

• Management of project financial performance, including P&Ls, costs, margins, budgets, forecasts, variances and emerging risks.


• Partnering with operational teams to control costs, address overruns and improve project profitability.


• Supporting tender costing and budgeting, validating inputs and challenging assumptions.


• Overseeing cost allocations, accruals, WIP, unbilled revenue and revenue recognition with the Senior Accountant.


• Preparation of management reporting, budgets, cash flow forecasts and commercial analysis, providing clear recommendations.


• Identifying financial risks and drive cost-control, reporting, process and financial-control improvements.


• Leading and developing Finance staff while remaining hands-on in accounting and analysis.


• Supporting month-end and provide hands-on backup for Australian payroll and Accounts Payable when required.

What We're Looking For

To be successful in this position, you will ideally bring:

• Finance leadership experience with strong hands-on management and project accounting capability.


• Accounting/Finance degree, CA/CPA and 5+ years' relevant experience.


• Project-based industry experience, preferably mining, construction or engineering.


• Strong project costing, profitability, budgeting, forecasting and tender costing skills.


• Advanced Pronto Xi and Excel capability; Power BI, Cognos or Paysonline advantageous.


• Experience using automation and AI to improve finance processes and reporting.


• Practical Australian payroll and AP experience.


• Strong commercial judgement, initiative and accountability.

Why Join Mancala?

At Mancala, you'll become part of a supportive team where your contribution matters. We believe in creating an environment where people can thrive, develop, and build long-term careers.