finance manager

Randstad NV; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Hybrid working model

Global remuneration package

Career-building role

Job summary

Global Specialty Insurer in Sydney CBD is seeking a Finance Manager (AVP, Finance) to lead the Australian finance function. You will own end-to-end reporting, internalising core operations, and establishing local statutory and regulatory processes, working with central teams and external advisors.

You will partner with underwriting and actuarial leads to evaluate loss ratios and drive portfolio profitability, while building a local team as the business scales.

Qualifications

• Working rights in Australia (permanent) and professional accounting qualifications.
• Professional accounting qualifications (CA/CPA/ACCA/ACA/CIMA/CGMA/CMA/ICAI or equivalent) with a relevant degree.
• Strong general insurance finance background in Australian markets (GAAP/regulatory reporting).
• Exposure to APRA returns and Australian statutory reporting including AASB 17 and US GAAP.
• Ability to establish processes from scratch and build a local team as the business scales.
• Strong analytical skills with experience partnering with underwriters and actuaries.

Responsibilities

• Lead transition and statutory delivery: own accounting processes, AASB 17 statements, US GAAP, year-end deliverables.
• Own APRA regulatory calendar and submissions, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Partner with Underwriting Heads and Actuaries to evaluate portfolio performance and insights.
• Design and implement a local control framework to mitigate reporting risks.
• Collaborate with regional finance and external advisors on tax and duties.
• Lay the foundation to recruit and mentor a local finance team as volumes grow.

Skills

APRA regulatory reporting

AASB 17

US GAAP

Commercial partnering

Financial analysis

Education

CA/CPA/ACCA equivalent

Accounting degree

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Tax software

Job description

Finance Manager

Global Specialty Insurer | Sydney CBD | Permanent

Over the last decade, our client, a global property, casualty, and specialty insurer, has grown its Australian premium base tenfold. To match this scale, the business is establishing an on-the-ground finance function and appointing its first dedicated local hire: Finance Manager (internally designated as Assistant Vice President, Finance).

Backed by an established central finance team, this role will take full ownership of internalising core operations, establishing the local reporting architecture, and managing statutory compliance as the platform expands.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Regional AVP for BAU Reporting and working closely with the Head of APAC Finance, you will serve as the principal finance lead for the Australian platform.

In this initial establishment phase, your focus is direct, end-to-end execution. Supported by central analysts and external tax advisors, you will run the operational transition, establish reporting cadences, and deliver statutory and regulatory filings, before helping build a local team as operations scale. Concurrently, you will partner directly with Underwriting Heads and Actuaries to evaluate loss ratios, challenge product line performance, and drive portfolio profitability.

Remit

• Transition & Statutory Delivery: Lead the operational repatriation of core accounting processes, personally delivering AASB 17 statutory financial statements, US GAAP reporting, and year-end audit deliverables.
• APRA Prudential Management: Take complete ownership of the regulatory reporting calendar and lead engagement activities for new APRA standards, personally preparing, reconciling, and submitting all returns.
• Commercial Partnering: Collaborate directly with Underwriting Heads and Actuaries across the country, producing management packs, evaluating loss ratios, and challenging product line performance to deliver actionable insights.
• Governance & Control Environment: Design and embed a robust local control framework from the ground up, implementing governance structures and delegated authorities that mitigate reporting risks and prudential breaches, leveraging broad support and established frameworks from the central finance team.
• Regional & External Collaboration: Support regional finance leaders on systems enhancements and strategic initiatives, while coordinating with external advisors to manage corporate income tax, stamp duty, ESL, GST, and ARPC obligations.
• Function Scale & Future Leadership: Lay the operational foundation for the Australian finance desk and play a key role in establishing and mentoring a dedicated local team as business volumes continue to scale.

What We Are Looking For

• Working Rights: Unrestricted, permanent working rights in Australia (Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident).
• Professional Qualifications: Qualified with a recognised professional accounting body (CA, CPA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CGMA, CMA, ICAI, or equivalent qualification) alongside a relevant tertiary degree.
• General Insurance Expertise: Strong technical finance background gained within Australian general insurance, reinsurance, or specialist underwriting platforms.
• Technical & Regulatory Depth: Proven working knowledge of APRA regulatory returns and Australian statutory reporting, with direct exposure to AASB 17 and US GAAP.
• Foundational Execution: Comfortable taking direct ownership of technical deliverables and establishing processes from scratch, with the capability to help build and lead a team as the business scales.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong analytical capability with a track record of actively partnering with underwriters, pricing actuaries, or commercial leaders to assess portfolio performance.

What's on Offer

• The pioneer local finance seat for a global insurer that has recently expanded its Australian premium base tenfold.
• A true builder mandate: direct statutory and regulatory ownership from day one, with a key role in establishing a local team as things scale.
• Direct commercial exposure, challenging product line performance alongside regional and local executive leadership.
• Highly competitive global remuneration package including comprehensive private health insurance.
• Modern Sydney CBD offices with flexible hybrid working arrangements.

qualification

• CA
• CPA
• ACCA
• ACA
• CIMA
• CGMA
• CMA