School Accountant

Nowra Christian School; South Nowra; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Nowra Christian School in New South Wales is seeking a School Accountant to lead the school's finance operations on a full-time basis. Reporting to the Business Manager, you will manage tuition billing, debtor control, payroll oversight and financial support across departments.

The role requires a strong Christian faith, experience with Australian accounting standards, familiarity with school software (TASS, Synergetic, Veracross, Xero, MYOB), and leadership to supervise staff.

Qualifications

• Progressive accounting experience in education or multi-department settings.
• Experience with GST, FBT and Payroll Tax under Australian regimes.
• Expertise in finance systems (TASS, Synergetic, Veracross, Xero, MYOB).
• Advanced Excel skills including financial modelling and lookups.
• Strong leadership and staff supervision experience.
• Excellent communication and discretion with families.
• CPA or CA qualification highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee tuition fee billing and debtor management.
• Oversee payroll and departmental financial support.
• Lead administrative staff and retail operations across the school.
• Ensure compliance with Australian tax regulations and accounting standards.
• Collaborate with Business Manager to report on finance operations.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships with families and church community.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Advanced Excel

Google Workspace

Financial modelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Commerce or Finance

CPA or CA desirable

Tools

TASS

Synergetic

Veracross

Xero

MYOB

Job description

Nowra Christian School is currently inviting applications from committed Christians of Protestant persuasion who are active in their local church, to join our Finance Team immediately, as a:

School Accountant

Full-time role leading the accurate and timely management of the school’s finance operations.

• Reporting to the Business Manager, you will oversee core operational finance functions, including tuition fee billing, debtor management, payroll oversight, and departmental financial support – while managing administrative staff and retail operations across the school.
• Join a supportive Christ-centred team where community, care and purpose underpin everything we do.

Selection Criteria

• Strong Christian faith and active membership of a local Protestant church
• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably within an independent school, educational institution, or complex multi-departmental business.
• Demonstrated experience with Australian tax regimes (GST, FBT, Payroll Tax) and Australian Accounting Standards.
• Advanced expertise in school management and finance systems (e.g., TASS, Synergetic, Veracross, Xero, MYOB) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills (financial modelling, nested formulas, lookup tables) & Google Suite.
• Strong leadership capabilities with proven experience supervising administrative and operational staff.
• High emotional intelligence and exceptional interpersonal skills to communicate sensitive financial matters diplomatically with families.
• Superior organisational and problem-solving abilities to manage competing deadlines during peak term transitions, budget cycles, and audit period
• Qualified CPA or CA highly desirable

Mandatory Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Commerce or Finance
• Reference from current Protestant church minister
• Completion of the school’s online application form
• Current NSW Working With Children Check and National Police Clearance