Financial Controller

Hall & Wilcox; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

WFH equipment allowance

Flexible hybrid working

Career development programs

Parental leave up to 26 weeks

Job summary

Hall & Wilcox is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to lead the firm’s finance function on a permanent basis. The role is ideally based in Melbourne, with Sydney consideration, and offers a hybrid working model across modern offices.

You will oversee budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and treasury while delivering strategic insights to support the Board and partners. Required qualifications include CA/CPA, a degree in Accounting/Finance/Economics, advanced Excel and modelling, and 7+

Qualifications

• CA or CPA qualification (essential) with strong knowledge of Australian accounting, tax and statutory requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Economics, or relevant tertiary qualification
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and robust financial modelling capabilities
• Significant senior finance leadership experience (7+ years) in a large, complex organisation, ideally in professional services or law
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting and forecasting coordination and execution
• Support long-term financial planning and scenario modelling across units
• Provide strategic financial analysis and insights for operational decisions
• Monitor cost trends and drive cost optimisation initiatives
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting across all entities
• Ensure data integrity and adherence to policies and accounting standards
• Maintain and improve financial control frameworks and internal audit readiness
• Ensure statutory compliance including BAS, FBT, income tax, and trust accounting
• Manage cash flow operations, treasury and banking relationships
• Drive finance process improvements, automation, and integration with IT
• Lead and develop the Finance Manager and team, fostering discipline and growth
• Engage with stakeholders and present financial insights to senior leadership

Skills

Leadership

Financial modelling

Excel

Stakeholder management

Education

CA or CPA qualification

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Economics

Tools

Finance systems

Job description

• Our HW Evolve approach includes hybrid and flexible working. WFH and from modern, open plan offices. We will provide you with WFH IT equipment plus reimbursement of up to $500 for additional equipment


• Competitive remuneration and our Hallstar reward and recognition program


• Learning and career development programs for all roles and levels


• Flexible leave options, including up to 26 weeks paid parental leave


• Free daily breakfast and office social events


• Genuine commitment to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, and pro bono and community

Make the smarter choice. Come and thrive with us.

More information about our HW benefits can be viewed here: bit.ly/HWbenefits

• Permanent full-time position


• Our HW Evolve approach includes hybrid and flexible working. WFH and from modern, open plan offices. We will provide you with WFH IT equipment plus reimbursement of up to $500 for additional equipment


• Competitive remuneration and our Hallstar reward and recognition program


• Learning and career development programs for all roles and levels


• Flexible leave options, including up to 26 weeks paid parental leave


• Free daily breakfast and office social events


• Genuine commitment to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, and pro bono and community

Make the smarter choice. Come and thrive with us.

More information about our HW benefits can be viewed here: bit.ly/HWbenefits

About The Role And Team

We have an exciting and rare opportunity for an experienced and senior Finance professional to join our firm as national Financial Controller on a permanent basis.

This role will ideally be based in Melbourne, however we are open to considering strong candidates that are Sydney-based.

The Hall & Wilcox Finance team provides financial and management accounting, trust accounting, accounts payable, financial systems management, commercial finance, accounts receivable, credit, banking and practice support services across the firm.

Reporting to the Director - Finance, the Financial Controller is a key member of the Finance leadership team. Operating at Senior Manager level, the role provides strategic, commercial and operational leadership across the firm’s financial reporting, management accounting, trust accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.

The Financial Controller is responsible for the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of the firm’s financial and management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, working capital management, internal controls and statutory and tax compliance. The role provides high-quality financial information and commercial insights to support effective decision-making by the Board, senior leadership, Section Leaders and Partners.

The Successful Candidate Will Be Responsible For

Strategic Financial Management & Planning

• Lead the coordination and execution of the firm’s budgeting and forecasting process;


• Support long-term financial planning and scenario modelling across business units;


• Provide strategic financial analysis and insights to inform operational and investment decisions;


• Monitor cost trends and lead the implementation of cost optimisation strategies;

Financial Reporting & Control Oversight

• Oversee the preparation of accurate, timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) across all firm entities;


• Ensure financial data integrity and alignment with internal policies and accounting standards;


• Lead the maintenance and continuous improvement of financial control frameworks;


• Manage internal audit readiness and coordinate financial control reviews;

Compliance & Statutory Management

• Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory obligations, including BAS, FBT, income tax, and trust account requirements;


• Coordinate external audit processes and manage internal responses to audit recommendations;


• Maintain appropriate documentation and systems to meet legal, partnership, and regulatory obligations;

Cash Flow & Treasury Management

• Manage the firm’s cash flow operations, forecasting, and liquidity planning across all entities;


• Lead day-to-day treasury management and ensure efficient cash utilisation;


• Oversee banking operations and manage transactional relationships with financial institutions;

Finance Systems & Process Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement in finance processes, automation, and system performance;


• Collaborate with IT and business teams to implement technology solutions that enhance efficiency and reporting;


• Lead initiatives to integrate finance systems with other operational platforms to improve data accessibility and reliability;

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and develop the Finance Manager and operational finance team to deliver high-quality outcomes;


• Promote a strong culture of financial discipline, innovation, and professional growth;


• Implement training programs and mentoring to build technical and leadership capability within the finance function;

Stakeholder Engagement & Financial Leadership

• Act as a key finance contact for internal stakeholders, including practice leaders, operations, and senior management;


• Prepare and present financial reports and insights to inform business performance discussions; and


• Represent the finance function in operational leadership forums and contribute to firm-wide initiatives.

About You

You will ideally have the following skills and experience:

• CA or CPA qualification (essential), with a strong working knowledge of Australian accounting, tax and statutory requirements;


• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Economics, or relevant tertiary qualification (desired);


• Advanced Microsoft Excel and robust financial modelling capabilities;


• Significant senior finance leadership experience (at least seven years’ experience) within a large, complex organisation, ideally in a law firm, professional services or large accounting environment;


• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams;


• Strong technical expertise across financial reporting, management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial controls and compliance;


• Proven ability to provide commercial insights and influence business performance through data-driven decision-making;


• Experience leading financial systems, reporting and process improvement initiatives, and an interest in automation and practical experience with AI to improve finance processes;


• Multi-entity, M&A integration or finance systems implementation experience is advantageous;


• Strong analytical, problem-solving and financial modelling skills;


• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, present and influence at executive and partner level;


• Ability to communicate complex financial and commercial concepts clearly and confidently to non-financial audiences; and


• High levels of commercial acumen, professional judgement and integrity.

At Hall & Wilcox, we deliver outstanding legal services to corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia. Our purpose is to enable our clients, our people and our communities to thrive.

We were recently named

Law Firm of the Year at the 2026 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards.

We do great work, smarter. We’re passionate about the work we do and how it creates value for today and tomorrow. We’re known for Smarter Law: smarter thinking to create smarter solutions. We embrace innovative thinking and technology. We listen. We partner. We solve.

We are also known for having a great culture that values people and that lives our purpose and values - our Hallmarks.

Hall & Wilcox is a successful independent Australian law firm; a place to belong, with the freedom to learn and grow. We thrive together. We are diverse and inclusive - everyone is welcome and respected. We encourage applications from candidates of all cultural backgrounds (including First Nations), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

Hear from our people about what it’s like to thrive at Hall & Wilcox: bit.ly/HWpeople

To learn more about Hall & Wilcox, visit our website.

We are committed to supporting candidates with disability so that every candidate is offered a fair, equitable and supportive recruitment experience. If you require any adjustments or support to complete your application, please contact Alison Daly-Thomson, Talent Acquisition Manager, at ***email_hidden*** for a confidential discussion.

This vacancy is being managed directly by the Hall & Wilcox Talent Acquisition team. We will contact our preferred agency partners should we require any assistance.

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