Financial Manager

Appreciating Recruitment Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Appreciating Recruitment Group is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to join a NSW school. The role reports to the Business Services Manager and combines hands-on financial management with input into the strategic direction of the school.

You'll oversee budgeting, forecasting, reporting and payroll, ensure compliance, and partner with senior stakeholders to drive operational efficiencies. Experience in education is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Finance Manager or senior finance role.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting capabilities.
• A deep understanding of payroll, including relevant legislation, awards, entitlements, superannuation, taxation and compliance requirements.
• Experience overseeing payroll operations and resolving complex payroll queries.
• Experience using Compass and ConnX software systems.
• The ability to translate financial data into meaningful insights and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Partner with the Business Services Manager and wider leadership team on financial strategy and business planning.
• Monitor cash flow, expenditure and financial performance against budgets.
• Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely processing.
• Provide guidance on complex payroll matters, ensuring processes and controls are effective and compliant.
• Manage month-end and year-end reporting, reconciliations and financial statements.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, systems and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial legislation, reporting requirements and organisational policies.
• Support the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures.
• Contribute to broader business services and operational initiatives as required.

Skills

Finance management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Payroll oversight

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Process improvement

Attention to detail

Compliance

Tools

Compass

ConnX

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to join the team, reporting to the Business Services Manager. The role will be involved in both strategic planning and day-to-day operations, with responsibility for financial management, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and payroll oversight.
This is a varied role suited to someone who enjoys being hands‑on with finance while also contributing to the broader operational and strategic direction of the school.
Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Partner with the Business Services Manager and wider leadership team on financial strategy and business planning.
• Monitor cash flow, expenditure and financial performance against budgets.
• Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely processing.
• Provide guidance on complex payroll matters, ensuring processes and controls are effective and compliant.
• Manage month-end and year-end reporting, reconciliations and financial statements.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, systems and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial legislation, reporting requirements and organisational policies.
• Support the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures.
• Contribute to broader business services and operational initiatives as required.

About You To be successful in this role, you will be a commercially minded finance professional with strong technical accounting skills and the ability to work closely with senior stakeholders.
You will bring:

• Proven experience in a Finance Manager or senior finance role.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting capabilities.
• A deep understanding of payroll, including relevant legislation, awards, entitlements, superannuation, taxation and compliance requirements.
• Experience overseeing payroll operations and resolving complex payroll queries.
• Experience using Compass and ConnX software systems.
• The ability to translate financial data into meaningful insights and recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• A proactive approach to improving processes and driving operational efficiencies.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• The ability to balance hands‑on financial management with strategic thinking.

Experience within a school or education environment would be advantageous.
The Opportunity Join an established school with a positive working culture and strong staff retention, in a role that combines financial management, payroll oversight and involvement in the school's broader strategy and operations.