Finance & Operations Manager

Partale; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Partale invites an experienced Finance & Operations Manager to cover a 12-month maternity leave in Sydney’s CBD. You will oversee the firm’s finance and operational functions, partner with the CEO and Board, ensure compliance, and drive efficiency across banking, payroll, and reporting.

The role requires strong accounting software skills (Xero/MYOB), a CPA/CA qualification, and a proactive approach to governance and risk management.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a finance and/or operations management role, ideally within a financial or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing ATO obligations, BAS lodgements, and tax compliance for a business entity.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, management accounting, and month-end processes.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a small team, driving accountability and performance.
• Experience managing relationships with external accounting providers or outsourced finance functions.
• High level of proficiency with accounting software (e.g. Xero, MYOB) and strong Excel/data skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all ATO obligations (BAS, GST, PAYG withholding, tax compliance) and manage creditor/ATO payment plans.
• Oversee bank reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee payroll and employee-related statutory obligations for compliance.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial and operational processes, systems and controls.
• Manage relationship with external accounting and advisory providers to ensure quality outputs and timely delivery.
• Manage payment processing and inter-entity transfers with robust controls.
• Provide monthly analysis of transactions to identify trends and cost optimisation opportunities.
• Lead the internal accounts team and provide guidance to maintain high standards of accuracy.

Skills

Finance management

Operations management

ATO obligations

Tax compliance

Financial reporting

Month-end processes

Team leadership

External accounting providers

Xero

MYOB

Excel

Board reporting

Communication

Education

CPA or CA

Tools

Xero

MYOB

Job description

Finance & Operations Manager

• Join a well-respected, fast-growing advisory and insolvency firm
• Step into a key role within the team and have your contributions recognised and seen across all levels of the firm
• Full time, Fixed Term contract (12 Month Maternity Leave Cover)
• Sydney CBD location.

OUR CLIENTS BUSINESS

Our client is a one of Australia’s fastest growing advisory and insolvency firms, operating nationally across multiple offices. The firm is recognised for its structured, modern and high-performance approach to insolvency and restructuring, and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, governance, and operational excellence.

With a nationwide team at the ready, they love finding solutions for people facing fincial difficulties. The business is oriented by their core values of innovation, focus, action-oriented approach and understanding. Through their innoviatve approach to the services they provide, they are breaking the boundaries of a traditional practice. With ample opportunities for career development, growth and the ability to work on meaningful and interesting tasks, there is no better time to join this impressive and growing firm.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Finance and Operations professional to step into a pivotal role on a 12-month fixed term contract to cover a period of maternity leave.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Finance and Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing the firm’s finance and operational functions, ensuring the business continues to perform, comply, and grow during this period. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of finance management, regulatory compliance, and operational governance, and will be comfortable operating both strategically – partnering with the Board and CEO – and hands-on in the day-to-day running of the finance function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all ATO obligations (BAS, GST, PAYG withholding, tax compliance) and oversee creditor/ATO payment plans, including negotiation and ongoing management where required.
• Oversee all bank account reconciliations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with the firm’s internal records.
• Oversee payroll and employee-related statutory obligations, ensuring accurate and timely processing and compliance.

• Identify opportunities to improve financial and operational processes, systems and controls to support business efficiency and growth.
• Manage the relationship with the firm's external accounting and advisory providers, ensuring quality outputs, compliance and timely delivery of services.
• Manage payment processing and inter-entity transfers, maintaining robust controls and approvals processes.
• Maintain accurate transaction records and conduct monthly analysis to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for cost optimisation.
• Provide oversight of the firm’s outsourced accounting function, managing the relationship with the third-party provider to ensure quality outputs, deadlines, and accuracy.
• Lead, manage, and support the internal accounts team, setting clear priorities, providing guidance, and ensuring high standards of performance and accuracy.
• Review and approve expense reimbursements for management through the firm’s Employment Hero platform, ensuring compliance with expense policies.
• Prepare and deliver accurate and timely financial reports to the CEO and Board, providing clear insights into the firm’s financial position, performance, and key metrics.
• Respond to ad hoc Board information requests and provide financial analysis and commentary to support informed decision-making.
• Ensure the firm meets all finance and operations obligations from a regulatory, compliance, and governance perspective, having regard to relevant industry guidelines and ASIC requirements applicable to insolvency practitioners.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate operational and financial risks, escalating issues to the CEO and Board as appropriate.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

You’re an experienced Finance & Operations leader who can confidently partner with the CEO and Board at a strategic level while rolling up your sleeves to ensure the day-to-day finance function runs smoothly, accurately, and efficiently. Specifically, you'll bring:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a finance and/or operations management role, ideally within a financial or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing ATO obligations, BAS lodgements, and tax compliance for a business entity.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, management accounting, and month-end processes.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a small team, driving accountability and performance.
• Experience managing relationships with external accounting providers or outsourced finance functions.
• High level of proficiency with accounting software (e.g. Xero, MYOB) and strong Excel/data skills.
• Sound understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements in a professional services context.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders, including Board members
• CPA or CA qualified

Additionally, your application will stand out if you have:

• Experience in the insolvency, restructuring, legal, or accounting sectors.
• Familiarity with Employment Hero or similar HR/payroll and expense management platforms.
• Experience in policy development and process improvement initiatives.