Inventory Accounting Manager

Michael Page; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Leadership development opportunities

Senior leadership exposure

Job summary

Michael Page is recruiting an Inventory Accounting Manager based in Melbourne for a top Australian retailer. You will own inventory accounting, governance and reporting, lead two direct reports and partner with cross-functional teams including Retail, Supply Chain and Commercial Finance.

You will drive month-end closings, balance sheet governance, and support external audits, with a focus on sustainability reporting and process improvements.

Qualifications

• CA or CPA designation and a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• At least six years’ experience in financial accounting at a management level.
• Strong inventory accounting experience in retail or inventory-intensive env.
• Experience leading external audit and financial reporting processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting, valuation and governance of inventory across the business.
• Oversee month-end inventory reporting, reconciliations and journals.
• Manage external audit activities including planning and issue resolution.
• Coach and develop two direct reports and drive process improvements.
• Partner with Retail, Distribution Centre, Supply Chain, Brands and Buying teams to improve policies and outcomes.
• Support finance transformation, ERP enhancements and climate-related reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

CA or CPA qualification

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle

MS Dynamics

NetSuite

Job description

This is a high-impact finance leadership opportunity with a top tier Australian retailer, responsible for inventory governance, financial reporting, audit management and the development of two direct reports. Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will influence senior stakeholders across Retail, Supply Chain, Commercial Finance, Brands and Buying, while contributing to major transformation and sustainability initiatives.

Our client is one of Australia and New Zealand's fastest-growing retailers, with Finance playing a central role in supporting the organisation's continued growth and evolution. Based in Melbourne's inner city suburbs, this highly visible position operates across a collaborative, fast-paced and commercially focused environment.

Description

As Inventory Accounting Manager, you will take ownership of a critical area of the finance function, providing leadership, technical expertise and commercial insight across inventory, reporting and governance.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead the accounting, valuation and governance of inventory across the business.
• Review inventory calculations covering landed costs, customs duty, provisioning, reserves and balance sheet positions.
• Lead inventory risk analysis, identifying slow-moving and obsolete stock and recommending actions to mitigate financial exposure.
• Provide strategic insights that support commercial decisions, forecasting and inventory performance.
• Partner with Retail, Distribution Centre, Supply Chain, Commercial Finance, Brands and Buying teams to improve policies, processes and business outcomes.
• Oversee month-end inventory reporting, reconciliations, journals and finance deliverables.
• Maintain strong balance sheet governance and provide technical accounting guidance on complex or non-routine matters.
• Lead external audit activities, including planning, documentation, walkthroughs, queries and issue resolution.
• Manage, coach and develop two direct reports, building capability, accountability and consistently high-quality outputs.
• Support finance transformation, ERP enhancements, systems testing and process optimisation initiatives.
• Represent Finance in sustainability and climate-related reporting, including Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards requirements.
• Build trusted relationships across Finance and the broader business to influence decisions and deliver meaningful improvements.

Profile

You will be an accomplished finance professional who combines deep technical accounting capability and inventory knowledge with confident people leadership and partnering skills.

You will ideally bring:

• CA or CPA qualification and a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.
• At least six years' experience in financial accounting (AASB/IFRS), including experience at a management level.
• Deep inventory accounting experience gained within retail, FMCG, consumer goods, wholesale, distribution or another inventory-intensive environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing, coaching and developing finance professionals.
• Experience leading external audit, compliance and financial reporting processes.
• Preferably audit experience within a Big Four or mid-tier accounting firm.
• Strong ERP systems capability with SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics or NetSuite, and advanced Excel skills.
• The ability to communicate complex accounting matters clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• A proactive, autonomous and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Previous exposure to finance transformation, system implementations or large-scale process improvement initiatives viewed favourably.

Job Offer

• Full-time fixed-term opportunity through to January 2028, with potential to extend.
• Modern office in Cremorne with a hybrid-working model.
• Leadership development and potential progression opportunities within Finance.
• Competitive salary package and modern office in a Melbourne inner-city suburb.
• Senior leadership position with two direct reports.
• High visibility across Finance and key operational functions.
• Direct exposure to senior and executive stakeholders.
• Opportunity to shape inventory strategy, governance and commercial outcomes.
• Involvement in finance transformation, systems improvements and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Exposure to emerging sustainability and climate-reporting requirements.