Group Finance Manager

Ustudy Pty Ltd; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ustudy Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Group Finance Manager to own the finance function across a diversified group, with a primary focus on our higher education portfolio.

The role requires quick understanding of multiple businesses, overseeing several entities, and delivering budgets, cash-flow forecasts, management accounts and board reporting while working directly in Xero.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting/Finance or related discipline.
• CPA or CA qualification preferred.
• Experience in an education environment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day finance function across multiple Group entities.
• Manage payroll, AP/AR, invoicing and reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, budgets and cash-flow forecasts.
• Deliver board-level reporting and statutory compliance.
• Coordinate with external accountants and auditors.

Skills

Xero

Group finance management

Multi-entity accounting

Cash flow forecasting

Board reporting

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance

CPA/CA qualification

Tools

Xero

Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Group Finance Manager to take ownership of the finance function across a diversified group of businesses, with a primary focus on our higher education portfolio.

This is a broad, fast-paced role requiring someone who can quickly understand multiple businesses and take responsibility for their financial operations concurrently. You will oversee several entities rather than focusing on one business at a time.

The successful candidate will ideally have finance experience within a University, TAFE, College, School, Higher Education or similar regulated education environment, together with strong multi-entity accounting experience.

This is not purely a management or reporting position. You must be comfortable working directly in Xero, processing and reviewing transactions, managing payroll, AP/AR, invoicing and reconciliations, while also producing budgets, cash-flow forecasts, management accounts and Board-level reporting.

The majority of the role will support our education businesses, with additional responsibility for finance activities relating to property, real estate and other Group investments.

Group Finance Manager

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Group Finance Manager to take ownership of the finance function across a diversified group of businesses, with a primary focus on our higher education portfolio.

This is a broad, fast-paced role requiring someone who can quickly understand multiple businesses and take responsibility for their financial operations concurrently. You will oversee several entities rather than focusing on one business at a time.

The successful candidate will ideally have finance experience within a University, TAFE, College, School, Higher Education or similar regulated education environment, together with strong multi-entity accounting experience.

This is not purely a management or reporting position. You must be comfortable working directly in Xero, processing and reviewing transactions, managing payroll, AP/AR, invoicing and reconciliations, while also producing budgets, cash-flow forecasts, management accounts and Board-level reporting.

The majority of the role will support our education businesses, with additional responsibility for finance activities relating to property, real estate and other Group investments.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day-to-day finance function across multiple Group entities

• Quickly develop an understanding of each business, its financial position, cash flow and reporting requirements

• Maintain accurate financial records and accounts using Xero

• Manage Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR)

• Prepare and issue invoices and actively monitor outstanding receivables

• Manage invoicing and financial administration relating to tenants, leases and property activities

• Process and review financial transactions, journals and general ledger entries

• Manage payroll, salary payments, payroll reconciliations and superannuation

• Prepare monthly payroll journals and reconciliations

• Manage month-end and year-end close processes across multiple entities

• Perform balance sheet, bank and intercompany reconciliations and promptly investigate variances

• Manage intercompany transactions and maintain accurate loan and related-party account records

• Prepare BAS, IAS and GST reporting and assist with FBT and other statutory requirements

• Maintain fixed asset registers, including capitalisation and depreciation

• Prepare timely monthly management accounts and financial reports for senior management and Boards

• Prepare and maintain annual budgets and rolling cash-flow forecasts

• Monitor actual performance against budgets and forecasts and explain material variances

• Maintain visibility over Group cash requirements and upcoming financial obligations

• Support government funding, grants, acquittals and compliance reporting where applicable

• Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, banks and professional advisers

• Support internal and external audits and regulatory financial reporting requirements

• Assist management with acquisitions, financial due diligence, completion accounts and integration of newly acquired businesses

• Develop and improve financial controls, systems, policies and processes across the Group

• Identify financial issues proactively and bring them to management's attention with recommended solutions

• Provide financial and accounting support across property, real estate and other Group activities

• Undertake other finance and accounting responsibilities reasonably required by management

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related discipline

• CPA or CA qualification preferred

• Demonstrated accounting or finance experience within a University, TAFE, College, School, Higher Education or similar education environment

• Demonstrated experience managing the finance function across multiple entities or business units simultaneously

• Strong hands-on experience using Xero

• Proven experience managing AP, AR, invoicing, payroll and month-end processes

• Strong general ledger, bank and balance sheet reconciliation experience

• Experience managing intercompany transactions and reconciliations

• Knowledge of BAS, IAS, GST, FBT and Australian statutory compliance requirements

• Strong payroll, superannuation and associated compliance experience

• Experience preparing monthly management accounts, budgets and cash-flow forecasts

• Experience supporting internal and external audits

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to prioritise competing deadlines and work efficiently across multiple businesses

• Ability to work independently, take ownership and complete tasks with minimal supervision

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with senior management

Highly Regarded

• Experience with government-funded or regulated education providers

• Understanding of Australian higher education, VET and/or international education

• Experience with student revenue, FEE-HELP or government education funding

• Experience with group consolidations

• Exposure to property, commercial leasing or real estate accounting

• Experience preparing Board and committee financial reporting

• Experience supporting acquisitions, financial due diligence, completion accounts or post-acquisition integration

• Experience improving finance systems and processes within growing businesses

The Person We Are Looking For

This role will suit someone who enjoys working in an entrepreneurial, growing and fast-moving organisation rather than a narrowly defined corporate finance position.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Hands-on – willing to work directly in the accounts rather than simply supervising others

• Fast and organised – able to understand several businesses and manage competing priorities

• Commercially minded – able to look beyond the numbers and understand what they mean for the business

• Proactive – identifies problems, follows them through and proposes solutions without waiting to be asked

• Accountable – takes ownership of deadlines and deliverables

• Adaptable – comfortable moving between education, property and other business activities

• Management focused – able to turn financial information into useful reporting for decision-making

About the Role

You will work closely with the Group CEO and senior management and have visibility across multiple businesses, investments and acquisitions.

The position will be predominantly focused on our growing education portfolio, while also supporting the Group's property, real estate and investment activities.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Finance Manager to take genuine ownership of a growing Group finance function, improve its systems and reporting, and develop with the organisation as it expands.