Finance Manager

Lauriston Girls' School; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lauriston Girls’ School in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead the Finance team, oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and reporting, and ensure financial controls across the school.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will translate financial data into practical insights for decision-makers, drive continuous improvement, and build financial capability across the School while upholding governance and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with CPA or CA membership.
• Experience budgeting, forecasting, reporting and financial analysis.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a Finance team.
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in independent schools, education, not-for-profit or similarly regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day financial management of the School.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, school fee administration, procurement and financial controls.
• Coordinate statutory reporting and annual audit requirements.
• Turn financial information into clear, practical insights that support informed decision-making.
• Develop financial models, monitor performance and communicate implications to stakeholders.
• Lead and develop the Finance team and build financial capability across the School.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Education

CPA or CA membership

Tools

Finance systems

Job description

Lead a capable Finance team, drive continuous improvement and play a key role in the financial sustainability of a leading independent girls’ school.

Lauriston Girls’ School is seeking an experienced Finance Manager who combines strong technical accounting expertise with practical commercial judgement, approachable leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will provide trusted financial information and advice that supports sound decision-making and the effective allocation of resources across the School.

About Lauriston

Established in 1901, Lauriston Girls’ School is a leading independent school with a proud tradition of academic excellence and educational innovation. Lauriston is co-educational at Blairholme Early Learning Centre and provides an all-girls education from Prep to Year 12, including the VCE and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Lauriston girls are inspired to be courageous lifelong learners who are ethical, compassionate and equipped to shape their world. Our work is guided by the values of relationships, courage, creativity, intellectual curiosity and engagement in life.

About the role

• Full-time, ongoing
• Commencing January 2027 (or by negotiation)

As Finance Manager, you will lead the School’s day-to-day financial management and oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, financial reporting and core accounting operations, including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, school fee administration, procurement and financial controls. You will also coordinate statutory reporting and annual audit requirements.

Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, school leaders and budget holders, you will turn financial information into clear, practical insights that support informed decision-making. You will develop financial models, monitor performance and help stakeholders understand the financial implications of operational and strategic decisions.

You will also lead and develop the Finance team, oversee finance systems and reporting tools, and identify opportunities to improve processes, controls and service delivery. A key focus will be building financial capability across the School and ensuring the Finance function remains accurate, responsive and focused on continuous improvement.

We are seeking a candidate with:

• A genuine commitment to Lauriston's values of Engagement in Life, Intellectual Curiosity, Courage, Creativity and Relationships
• Strong financial management and accounting expertise
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, reporting and financial analysis
• Proven ability to lead and develop a Finance team, build rapport and foster strong working relationships
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Confidence using finance systems and reporting tools
• A collaborative, service-focused approach with a commitment to driving continuous improvement
• Relevant accounting or finance qualifications, with CPA or CA membership highly regarded
• Experience in an independent school, education, not-for-profit or similarly regulated environment will also be highly regarded

Why join Lauriston?

As a member of our staff, you will join a supportive and professional community that values learning, wellbeing and meaningful contribution. Staff enjoy sector-leading employment conditions, opportunities for ongoing professional growth, access to our Employee Assistance Program, and a range of benefits that support wellbeing and development.

For further information please refer to the Candidate Pack/Position Description.

All applicants must hold current Working With Children Check (or willingness to obtain) and have the right to live and work in Australia.

Applications close Monday 30 November 2026 at 9.00am. Please note that Lauriston Girls' School reserves the right to appoint prior to the closing date; therefore, early applications are encouraged. Only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

Lauriston Girls’ School is a child safe organisation which welcomes children, young people and their families. Lauriston Girls’ School has zero tolerance for child abuse. Everyone working at Lauriston Girls’ School is responsible for the care and protection of the children and young people within our care and reporting of information about suspected child abuse. All members of staff share in the responsibility for the prevention and detection of child abuse and promptly raising any issues or concerns about a child’s safety. All staff are required to follow the School’s Child Safe policies and Child Safety Code of Conduct.