Finance Manager - Prestigious Family Law Firm

Farrar Gesini Dunn; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Farrar Gesini Dunn (FGD) in Melbourne is seeking a Finance Manager to lead day-to-day financial operations and provide timely, meaningful financial information to support management decisions.

This hands-on role combines accounting duties with reporting, analysis and process improvement. You will work closely with the CEO, Finance Partner and leadership team to drive financial performance and controls across the firm.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in accounting/finance.
• Experience managing day-to-day financial operations.
• Experience with Xero and legal practice management systems.
• Payroll, BAS, and statutory reporting experience.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day financial operations and reporting.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly financial reports.
• Oversee accounts payable/receivable and reconciliations.
• Coordinate budgets and forecasts; provide financial insights.
• Lead the finance team and liaise with CEO and management.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Leadership

Independent worker

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Payroll & BAS knowledge

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

Tools

Xero

Actionstep

Job description

Finance Manager - Prestigious Family Law Firm

Generous salary package in line with experience

At FGD, we're not your typical law firm. We are a bold, progressive team who work hard, care deeply, and actually love what we do. We champion innovation, put people first (our clients, community, and each other), and pride ourselves on being paperless, flexible, and ahead of the curve.

We only hire the best, and then give them the support, career growth, and generous remuneration they deserve.

The Role

The Finance Manager is responsible for the effective management of FGD's day-to-day financial operations and the provision of accurate, timely and meaningful financial information to support the management of the firm.

The role combines hands-on financial management and accounting responsibilities with reporting, analysis and process improvement. The Finance Manager will have ownership of the day-to-day finance function, while working closely with the CEO, Finance Partner, finance team and broader management.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who is comfortable taking responsibility for the numbers and reporting, while also being willing and able to undertake day-to-day accounts work.

Manage the day-to-day financial operations of the firm.

Prepare and analyse accurate and timely weekly, monthly and quarterly financial reports.

Monitor financial performance and identify significant trends, variances and issues.

Prepare reports and analysis for the CEO, leadership team and relevant managers.

Coordinate the preparation of budgets and forecasts and monitor performance against budget.

Provide practical financial analysis and insights to support business decision-making.

Maintain accurate financial records and ensure appropriate financial controls are in place.

Assist with the preparation of financial information for management and external reporting requirements.

Accounts & Transactional Finance

Oversee and undertake accounts payable and accounts receivable functions as required.

Manage bank reconciliations and reconciliation of financial accounts.

Monitor outstanding debtors and assist to follow up outstanding accounts.

Process and review invoices, payments and receipts.

Manage multiple bank accounts and ensure transactions are accurately recorded.

Manage month-end processes and assist with year-end requirements.

Undertake day-to-day accounting tasks when required to support the broader finance function.

Payroll, Tax & Compliance

Oversee and review the accurate and timely processing of payroll and superannuation.

Assist with BAS, tax and other statutory reporting and obligations.

Liaise with external accountants and advisers as required.

Coordinate audit and year-end requirements.

Ensure financial processes comply with relevant legislation, accounting requirements and FGD policies.

Support legal trust accounting requirements and processes, where applicable.

Systems & Process Improvement

Maintain and improve financial systems, processes and procedures.

Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and financial controls.

Assist with the implementation and improvement of finance systems and technology.

Maintain appropriate financial records, documentation and procedures.

Support the effective use of systems including Xero, Actionstep, Excel and other relevant platforms.

Team & Stakeholder Support

Provide leadership, guidance and support to members of the accounts team.

Work collaboratively with the CEO, Finance Partner and broader leadership team.

Develop effective working relationships with external accountants, auditors, bankers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Provide responsive and practical financial support to staff and managers across the firm.

Promote a positive, professional and service-focused approach within the finance function.

Authority and Accountability

The Finance Manager is accountable for the accuracy, integrity, timeliness and effective management of the firm's day-to-day financial operations, controls, compliance and reporting.

The role is expected to:

Take ownership of financial processes and follow matters through to completion.

Identify and escalation financial issues, risks and discrepancies appropriately.

Make recommendations for improvements to financial processes and systems.

Exercise appropriate judgement within established policies, procedures and delegated authority.

Escalate significant financial, compliance or commercial matters to the CEO, Finance Partner, or relevant member of the leadership team.

The role operates within delegated authority and works closely with the CEO and Finance Partner, who retain responsibility for the firm's overall financial strategy, business planning and broader commercial direction.

Skills & Experience

Advanced Excel skills

Relevant qualifications and experience in accounting, finance or a similar field.

Demonstrated experience managing day-to-day financial operations.

Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial processes.

Experience preparing financial reports and reconciliations.

Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.

Strong organisational and time-management skills.

Ability to analyse financial information and identify issues or trends.

Confidence working with financial systems.

Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Experience with Xero.

Experience with Actionstep or other legal practice management systems.

Experience with legal trust accounting.

Experience working in a professional services environment.

Experience with payroll, BAS and other statutory reporting.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

Reliable and accountable - takes ownership and follows things through.

Accurate - takes pride in having solid attention to detail

Commercially minded - can look beyond the numbers and understand what they mean for the business.

Hands-on - comfortable moving between reporting and analysis and day-to-day finance tasks.

Proactive - identifies issues and opportunities rather than waiting to be asked.

Solutions-focused

Organised

Confident but approachable - able to communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance people.

Aligned with the FGD Way - contributes positively to FGD's culture and puts people and clients at the centre of how they work.