Financial Controller

Legal Services Commission of South Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Professional memberships

CPD program

Employee Assistance Program

Fitness Passport

Job summary

Legal Services Commission is recruiting a Financial Controller to lead the finance function, reporting to the CFO and shaping financial governance and strategic decision-making. You will oversee reporting, budgeting, treasury and internal controls within a not-for-profit environment.

This is a pivotal role with senior stakeholder engagement, transformation initiatives and opportunities for financial system improvements and professional development.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Accounting/Finance/Economics.
• Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, treasury and financial control.
• Strong knowledge of financial governance, compliance and reporting.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial management, control and reporting functions.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Manage treasury and cash flow and internal controls.
• Ensure governance, compliance and risk management standards.
• Drive continuous improvement across the finance function.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Financial governance

Analytical thinking

Change management

Financial reporting

Education

Accounting/Finance/Economics degree

Job description

Legal Services Commission

Job reference: req452

Location: LSC - Adelaide Office - 159 Gawler Place, Adelaide, SA 5000 AUS

Job status: Ongoing

Eligibility: Open to everyone

Applications close: 20/09/2026 at 11:59 PM

As part of an exciting transformation of the finance function, Legal Services is currently recruiting both a Principal Finance Business Partner and a Financial Controller. These complementary leadership roles will work closely together and with the Chief Financial Officer to strengthen financial capability, improve systems and processes, enhance governance, and provide strategic support to organisational decision-making.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and astute Financial Controller to join our Finance team in this newly created role. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this pivotal leadership role is responsible for overseeing the organisation's financial management, control and reporting functions, ensuring the highest standards of governance, compliance, and financial stewardship.

As Financial Controller, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership across the finance function, driving robust financial management practices, delivering accurate and timely financial reporting, and supporting informed decision-making at the highest levels of the organisation.

The Financial Controller plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the organisation's financial control environment. You will lead key financial operations, including:

• Financial reporting and statutory financial statements
• Budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes
• Treasury and cash management
• Financial governance, compliance and risk management
• Internal controls and continuous improvement initiatives
• Transactional finance functions and operational finance services

This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in shaping the financial strategy, capability and performance of Legal Services. You will work closely with senior leaders, contribute to strategic decision-making and drive initiatives that enhance financial sustainability, governance and operational excellence.

About You

You are a highly capable finance professional with significant experience in financial leadership, governance and organisational performance. You bring a strategic mindset, strong technical expertise and the ability to influence and partner effectively with senior stakeholders.

You will demonstrate:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance or Economics.
• Outstanding leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience leading transformational change, process improvement and finance system initiatives.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving and decision-support capabilities.
• Extensive experience in financial management, control and reporting within a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, financial governance and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proven success leading budgeting, forecasting, treasury and financial control functions.

Salary Range

SM1: $144,421 per annum pro rata plus superannuation and leave loading.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Legal Services can offer its employees attractive salary sacrifice arrangements, including up to $15,900 pre-tax Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) year for general living expenses.

Term of Employment

Ongoing contract available at the SM1 classification level.

Workplace Benefits

We provide a range of financial and non-financial benefits to our employees that include:

• The opportunity to work alongside passionate and dedicated colleagues in a supportive workplace that is concerned about employee well-being.
• Generous salary sacrifice benefits through Smart Salary (as outlined above).
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Payment of Practising Certificate for legal staff.
• Payment of relevant Professional memberships.
• Support for employees and their family through our inclusive Employee Assistance Program.
• Supported training and development opportunities in areas including working with vulnerable clients, cultural sensitivity and trauma informed practice.
• Access to a comprehensive in-house legal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program.
• Contemporary workplace accommodation.
• Career development opportunities within the team and the organisation.
• Payment of employment screening checks.
• Access to Fitness Passport: a workplace health and fitness program that give you and your family access to wide choice of gyms and pools across South Australia.

We welcome applications from everyone. We are an inclusive employer, and support diversity and inclusion by recognising our staff for their unique qualities, ideas, and insights.

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

Should you require any further information please direct your query to Becky Janaway, Chief Financial Officer on 08 8111 5751.