Financial Controller

People Space (SA); Adelaide; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

People Space (SA) is partnering with an Adelaide-based technology organisation entering a major growth phase. The Financial Controller will lead day-to-day finance and administration, reporting to the CFO and acting as a genuine 2IC as the business commercialises and scales.

The role covers forecasting, budgeting, reporting, treasury, controls and the ongoing ERP transformation to support revenue generation and strategic projects.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a finance and administration function in a growth/transition environment.
• Strong financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting capability combined with commercial acumen.
• ERP implementation or finance systems transformation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day finance and administration under the CFO.
• Oversee month-end, budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and treasury.
• Manage statutory reporting, external audit, tax and compliance.

Skills

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial modelling

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Project management

Excel proficiency

Education

CA or CPA qualification

Tools

NetSuite ERP

Job description

We are partnering with an innovative Adelaide-based technology organisation entering a significant stage of commercial and organisational growth.

This is not a conventional Financial Controller position centred purely around month-end, reporting and compliance. Those fundamentals are important, but the broader opportunity is to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function, lead a capable team, strengthen systems and processes, and work closely with an experienced CFO as the organisation transitions from technology development into increasing commercialisation and revenue generation.

The successful person will inherit a finance function where many of the foundations have already been established. Month-end processes, controls, modelling, audit documentation and supporting structures have been substantially improved, meaning the next Financial Controller can focus on taking what exists and scaling it for the organisation the business is becoming.

For the right individual, the longer-term opportunity extends considerably further, with potential exposure to capital activity, acquisitions and divestments, corporate transactions, commercial projects and future listing preparation.

About the Business:

The organisation is an Adelaide-based technology company advancing and commercialising innovative technologies through science and engineering.

Its work spans areas including healthcare and medical technologies, energy, defence, and advanced technology commercialisation.

The business is now moving through an important transition from technology development and pre-revenue activity towards increasing commercialisation and revenue generation. That growth is creating the need for increasingly sophisticated financial systems, reporting, governance and commercial support.

About the Role:

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Financial Controller will lead the day-to-day finance and administration function and become a genuine 2IC within the organisation.

The remit is broad and will include:

• Financial and management reporting
• Budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management
• Treasury and capital management support
• Financial modelling and commercial analysis
• Statutory reporting and external audit
• Taxation and compliance
• R&D claims and grant obligations
• Payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Procurement and expenditure management
• Finance systems and internal controls
• Policies, procedures and process improvement
• Leadership of the finance and administration team
• Supporting commercial projects and investment opportunities

Finance Transformation & NetSuite

A major immediate priority will be helping lead the continued implementation and development of their cloud based ERP. This is broader than simply replacing an accounting system. The business is developing an ERP environment capable of supporting its transition into commercial production. The initial implementation includes core accounting, workflows, approvals, purchase orders and finance processes, with later stages expected to encompass inventory management, inventory tracking and broader production-related ERP functionality.

The successful person therefore needs to be comfortable operating as both a finance leader and an effective project manager, understanding what good looks like, developing a clear path forward and ensuring outcomes are delivered.

Importantly, additional project resources can be made available where required, and the expectation is not that the Financial Controller personally absorbs every component of the implementation.

About You:

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded finance leader who has operated successfully within growth, transformation or changing environments.

Ideally, you will bring:

• CA or CPA qualification
• Significant commercial finance experience
• Financial Controller or senior Finance Manager experience
• Experience leading a finance and administration function
• Strong financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting capability
• Advanced financial modelling and Excel skills
• ERP implementation or finance systems transformation experience
• Strong technical accounting knowledge
• Experience managing and developing teams
• Confidence working with senior executives and stakeholders
• Strong commercial judgement and decision-making capability

This will suit someone who:

• Takes ownership rather than waiting for direction
• Can challenge senior stakeholders constructively
• Enjoys improving and building rather than simply maintaining
• Remains effective when priorities shift
• Is willing to initially get into the detail when required
• Understands how to progressively build capability beneath themselves
• Has successfully operated through genuine organisational growth or transformation

The CFO is specifically looking for someone with a strong personality, outcomes focused, and the ability to manage both upwards and downwards through the organisation.

The position is full-time and predominantly office-based in the Adelaide CBD.