Head of Financial Reporting - IPO Readiness

at; Council of the City of Sydney; On-site; AUD 220,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail organisation in Sydney is seeking a Head of Financial Reporting to spearhead the company's IPO readiness. This high-impact role will oversee the transition to ASX-ready standards, ensuring robust governance and compliance. The ideal candidate will have CA/CPA qualifications and significant experience in technical accounting and external reporting. You will also lead a team, mentor staff, and drive the elevation of reporting standards across the organisation, becoming a trusted advisor to senior leadership. This is a unique opportunity in one of Australia's largest IPOs.

Benefits

Dynamic and high-performing culture

Career-defining opportunity

Strategic influence and autonomy

Qualifications

• Deep technical accounting experience within multi-entity organisations.
• Experience preparing businesses for IPO or working with ASX standards.
• Strong leadership capability with a track record of transforming finance functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation of financial reporting to ASX-ready standards.
• Own the external reporting process including statutory accounts.
• Act as the technical accounting authority across the business.

Skills

Technical accounting

External reporting

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Education

CA/CPA qualification

Job description

Head of Financial Reporting - IPO Readiness

$220k - $250k p.a. + Super + 15% Bonus

Location: Sydney CBD

Salary Package: $220k - $250k base + 15% bonus plus super

Role Highlights

Strategic finance leader; Front-row seat on a $3bn public listing journey; Fast-track your path to ASX CFO

Role Overview

Leading a team of 3, this is a key finance leadership role, and a rare and high-impact role at the heart of one of Australia's largest retail networks as it prepares for a $3bn IPO. Unlike many finance roles focused purely on compliance, this position places you at the intersection of technical accounting, external reporting, and strategic transformation, giving you a genuine seat at the executive table.

The business is transitioning from private company reporting to ASX-ready standards, and you will lead this transformation. This role isn't just about preparing financial statements - it's about elevating the quality, rigor, and governance of financial reporting across the organisation, while implementing frameworks and processes that will stand up to the scrutiny of regulators, institutional investors, and auditors.

You will be the technical finance authority, guiding the business through complex accounting matters including goodwill, impairment, business combinations, and evolving reporting obligations such as climate reporting. Your expertise will be relied upon by both internal stakeholders and external advisors, positioning you as a trusted advisor across the leadership team.

Beyond technical excellence, this role offers the opportunity to shape and influence the finance function itself. You will mentor and upskill team members who have historically operated under private company standards, building a culture of rigor, continuous improvement, and proactive problem‑solving.

This is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to drive IPO readiness from the ground up, build frameworks and capabilities that will endure beyond listing, and gain front‑row exposure to a transformational $3bn public listing. For the right candidate, this role provides unmatched visibility, influence, and a fast‑track pathway to ASX CFO.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation of financial reporting from private to ASX‑ready standards, ensuring audit‑ready compliance and robust governance frameworks.
• Own the end‑to‑end external reporting process, including statutory accounts, half‑year and full‑year reporting, and Board pack preparation.
• Act as the technical accounting authority across the business, providing guidance on complex areas such as goodwill, impairment, business combinations, leases, share‑based payments, and evolving standards.
• Drive IPO readiness, identifying gaps, implementing solutions, and working closely with external auditors, legal advisors, and the IPO project team.
• Build and maintain frameworks, policies, and documentation that withstand scrutiny from regulators, investors, and auditors.
• Elevate the finance function's capability, mentoring and developing team members to meet public company standards and enabling a proactive, solution‑focused culture.
• Partner with business leaders to translate technical accounting and reporting requirements into practical, actionable insights.
• Lead emerging reporting initiatives, including climate and sustainability disclosures, ensuring alignment with financial reporting and regulatory expectations.
• Identify and solve "unknown unknowns" in reporting and compliance, proactively anticipating issues before they arise.
• Contribute to strategic projects and initiatives, shaping the finance function and broader corporate services to support business growth and IPO success.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a CA/CPA‑qualified finance leader with deep technical accounting and external reporting experience, ideally within listed or complex multi‑entity organisations. Experience in preparing businesses for IPO or working with ASX reporting standards is highly desirable.

Critical to success is your gravitas and credibility — the ability to command respect across senior finance and business leaders while remaining collaborative and approachable. You bring exceptional technical acumen paired with strategic thinking, able to translate complex accounting and regulatory requirements into practical, actionable solutions.

You demonstrate strong leadership capability, with a track record of transforming finance functions and upskilling teams through periods of change. You are comfortable building structure, frameworks, and governance where none exist, elevating reporting standards, and navigating ambiguity with confidence.

You understand what "good looks like" in a public company finance function and have the emotional intelligence to influence across finance, business units, and external stakeholders. You thrive in high‑stakes environments, are meticulous with detail, and are energised by delivering solutions that withstand the scrutiny of auditors, regulators, and institutional investors.

Culture & Benefits

This organisation is dynamic, high‑performing, and purpose‑driven — delivering essential retail services while preparing for a transformational $3bn IPO. The culture values technical excellence, strategic thinking, and collaborative problem‑solving across finance and the broader business.

This role offers rare strategic influence as the technical finance authority and trusted partner to the Head of Finance and executive leadership team. You will have genuine autonomy to shape the finance function, implement public company reporting standards, and build lasting frameworks and governance.

The business is moving fast, creating opportunities for leaders who can bring structure to ambiguity, elevate team capability, and deliver high‑impact results. For the right candidate, this is a career‑defining opportunity to play a central role in one of Australia's largest IPOs, work alongside high‑calibre professionals, and fast‑track your path to ASX CFO in a supportive yet results‑focused environment.

Apply

If this sounds like you, please send your resume by clicking the "apply" link below. The reference number for this role is NGIPO66696