Senior Finance Partner (Operational)

City of Ipswich; Ipswich City; On-site; AUD 103,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Positive workplace culture

Work/Life balance

Diversity and inclusion

Learning and development

Health and well-being

Leave options

Salary packaging

Job summary

City of Ipswich is seeking a Senior Finance Partner (Operational) to act as a trusted advisor to council leaders, delivering strategic, business-focused financial guidance across the Finance Business Partnering team. You will shape financial strategy, strengthen decision-making, and support departmental goals to improve outcomes.

This permanent, full-time role requires a degree in Business/Commerce/Accounting, CPA/CA eligibility, and extensive budgeting, management accounting and financial

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Commerce, Accounting or another relevant discipline.
• Eligibility for CPA, CA or equivalent membership.
• Substantial experience in budgeting, management accounting, financial analysis and business analysis.
• High-level analytical, problem-solving and reporting skills with strong spreadsheet, database and financial systems capability.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on financial policy, procedures, accounting standards and systems relating to budgeting, management accounting, financial analysis and business analysis.
• Deliver financial reporting, variance analysis and forecasting.
• Play a key role in annual budget development and ongoing budget maintenance, amendments and phasing adjustments.
• Manage monthly general ledger and project ledger processes to maintain accurate financial information, including reconciliations, accruals, journals and allocations.
• Prepare and present business cases and improve financial processes to support sound decisions, streamline operations and minimise cost.

Skills

Budgeting

Management accounting

Financial analysis

Business analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Commerce/Accounting

Tools

Excel

Database systems

Financial software

Job description

About the role

As Senior Finance Partner (Operational), you will be a trusted advisor to council leaders, providing strategic, expert, business-focused financial advice, guidance and support. Working within the Finance Business Partnering team, you will work closely with stakeholders and play a key role in shaping financial strategy, strengthening financial decision-making, supporting departmental goals and improving business outcomes.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide advice on financial policy, procedures, accounting standards and systems relating to budgeting, management accounting, financial analysis and business analysis
• Deliver financial reporting, variance analysis and forecasting
• Play a key role in annual budget development and ongoing budget maintenance, amendments and phasing adjustments
• Manage monthly general ledger and project ledger processes to maintain accurate financial information, including reconciliations, accruals, journals and allocations
• Prepare and present business cases and improve financial processes to support sound decisions, streamline operations and minimise cost

About you

This is a great opportunity for an experienced finance professional who enjoys partnering with business and has:

• A degree in Business, Commerce, Accounting or another relevant discipline
• Eligibility for CPA, CA or equivalent membership
• Substantial experience in budgeting, management accounting, financial analysis and business analysis
• High-level analytical, problem-solving and reporting skills supported by strong spreadsheet, database and financial systems capability
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present and negotiate effectively with stakeholders
• The ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a changing environment
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of financial legislation, policies and procedures and external funding activities

The ability to align with our values of communication, collaboration, integrity, efficiency and leadership.

About the benefits

This is a permanent, full-time position with a salary commencing at $114,994 plus 12.5% superannuation.

• Positive workplace culture: Be part of a team that values positivity, inclusivity and a supportive environment where everyone can thrive
• Work/Life balance: Flex time and a supportive approach to work/life balance to maintain your well-being while fulfilling your work ambitions
• Diversity and inclusion: Work with a diverse workforce where different ideas and perspectives lead to innovation and better decision making
• Learning and development: Experience ongoing learning, development and career opportunities to enhance your skills, expertise and knowledge of industry trends
• Health and well-being: Access to discounted gym memberships, employee assistance program and special events supporting your physical and mental health
• Leave options: Annual leave with 17.5% leave loading, cultural leave and other leave options
• Salary packaging: Tailor a variety of salary packaging options to your needs such as financial advice, income protection insurance, professional memberships, novated leases and more

About us

Ipswich is a city where heritage, growth and opportunity come together. As one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions and one of its oldest provincial cities, Ipswich offers a unique mix of proud communities, natural landscapes, vibrant urban centres and an exciting future. Our people play an important role in shaping this future. Across a range of services, professions and specialist functions, our teams work together to support a liveable, inclusive and sustainable city for our thriving community. We have a workplace culture built on our values of safety and wellbeing, communication, collaboration, integrity, efficiency and leadership. Join us in shaping the future of the city and its people.

Join us

If you share our values and are passionate about enhancing the quality of life for the Ipswich community, then this could be the role for you.

Closing date: 18 October 2026

Please direct any related questions to [e-mail] .

Pre Employment Screening: Successful applicants must agree to provide information for pre-employment screening including referee checks, validation of eligibility to work in Australia, criminal history check and may include health assessments, validation of qualifications and licences and other screening checks.

Ipswich City Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer: We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace by supporting equal opportunities regardless of gender, culture, generation, sexual orientation, or disability. We promote a respectful workplace culture that is free from all forms of harassment, workplace bullying, discrimination, and violence.