Senior Manager, Financial & Statutory Reporting

UNSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

Leave loading

Extra leave over Christmas

Staff discounts

Job summary

UNSW Kensington Campus in Sydney is seeking a Senior Manager, Financial & Statutory Reporting to lead the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of financial records and external reporting. You will work closely with senior finance leaders and stakeholders to deliver high-quality, compliant reporting across the university.

This continuing, full-time role requires deep knowledge of Australian Accounting Standards, strong governance, and the ability to develop a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in accounting, finance or related discipline with deep knowledge of Australian Accounting Standards (AASB).
• Accredited membership with CPA Australia or CA ANZ.

Responsibilities

• Lead timely, accurate and compliant statutory financial reporting and audits.
• Maintain balance sheet integrity and ensure consolidated statements meet statutory and management requirements.
• Provide expert technical accounting advice with governance and documentation.
• Develop relationships with external stakeholders (e.g., NSW Audit Office, NSW Treasury).
• Oversee financial reporting materials for UNSW Annual Report and external submissions.
• Lead development and review of accounting policies and procedures.
• Strengthen financial control environment through risk identification and process improvements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Financial and Statutory Reporting team.

Skills

Accounting standards

Financial reporting

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance

Audit coordination

Communication

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

CPA/CA certification

Job description

• Remuneration: Salary determined after interview, commensurate with skills and experience
• Location: UNSW Kensington Campus

This Job is based in Australia

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Duration: Continuing
• Remuneration: Salary determined after interview, commensurate with skills and experience
• Location: UNSW Kensington Campus

About UNSW

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Why Your Role Matters

The Financial Control & Compliance function is accountable for the University-wide financial control environment and associated compliance policies and processes, including statutory financial reporting and external audit, controlled entity accounting and reporting, technical accounting advisory, infrastructure and asset accounting, and tax management and advisory. The Senior Manager, Financial & Statutory Reporting is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of financial records, statements and external statutory and financial reporting in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and UNSW policies, procedures and processes. Working closely with senior finance leaders, corporate functions and key stakeholders across the University, you will provide strategic leadership across financial reporting activities to deliver high-quality, compliant and consistent reporting outcomes. The role reports to the Director, Financial Control & Compliance and has 3 direct reports.

Responsibilities Summary

• Lead timely, accurate and compliant statutory financial reporting, including month-end close, annual statutory close, consolidated financial statements and internal and external audits.
• Maintain Balance Sheet integrity and ensure UNSW consolidated financial statements meet statutory and management reporting obligations under Australian Accounting Standards, NSW Treasury and Department of Education requirements.
• Provide expert technical accounting advice, supported by strong governance, robust documentation and high-quality accounting position papers.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with key external stakeholders, including the NSW Audit Office, NSW Treasury and related working groups.
• Oversee financial reporting materials for the UNSW Annual Report, Council Report and other external regulatory submissions.
• Lead the development, implementation and continuous review of financial accounting policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Strengthen the University’s financial control environment through proactive risk identification, robust controls and continuous improvement, including process optimisation, automation and data quality enhancements.
• Lead, develop and empower a high-performing Financial and Statutory Reporting team, building capability and fostering continuous improvement and proactive risk management.

For more information regarding the responsibilities for this role, please refer to the Position Description at JOBS@UNSW.

Skills And Experience Summary

• Tertiary qualifications in accounting, finance or a related discipline, with in-depth technical working knowledge of Australian Accounting Standards (AASB), NSW Treasury policies and statutory reporting requirements.
• Accredited membership with a professional accounting body in Australia (CPA Australia or CA ANZ).
• Demonstrated experience of more than 10 years in consolidated statutory external reporting and compliance, financial accounting operations and audit management within a large, complex or highly regulated environment.
• Proven leadership capability, with a demonstrated track record of developing high-performing finance teams.
• Highly advanced communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with a collaborative working style and strong service-oriented mindset.
• High level experience in financial accounting and reporting risk identification and implementation of fit-for-purpose financial governance, processes and controls.
• Proven skills in driving continuous improvement in an accounting function.

Benefits And Culture

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

Applications close: 11:30pm on the 11th of October

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.