Strategic Financial Controller, PE-Backed Growth (Sydney)

Highbury Executive Talent; Sydney; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Highbury Executive Talent is partnering with a PE-backed consumer products client to appoint a Financial Controller in Sydney. You will sharpen the control environment, improve cash visibility, and lead a growing finance team reporting to the CFO and sponsor.

The role focuses on strengthening forecasting, reporting quality, and governance across the function, while collaborating with external advisers and auditors.

Qualifications

• CA/CPA qualified with strong technical accounting foundation.
• Background in a large corporate environment, then SME/PE-backed growth.
• Proven experience in financial control or senior finance within consumer products or manufacturing.
• Strong cash flow forecasting and working capital experience.
• Working knowledge of Australian tax and payroll obligations.
• Experience leading or building a finance team and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Hands-on ERP implementations or improvements and strong Excel/reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Own financial control across month-end, balance sheet integrity, inventory and cost accounting, and statutory/management reporting.
• Lead cash flow forecasting and working capital management for liquidity visibility.
• Coordinate tax compliance and reporting with BAS/GST, payroll tax and income tax; engage external advisers as needed.
• Take ownership of payroll, ensuring accuracy, compliance and strong controls.
• Drive finance transformation across ERP, automation, reporting and financial controls.
• Recruit, develop and lead the finance team; shape structure and succession.
• Support audit, lender and covenant reporting; prepare board/investor packs.

Skills

Financial leadership

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Cash flow management

Tax knowledge

ERP & reporting

Education

CA/CPA qualified

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Highbury Executive Talent is partnering with a PE-backed consumer products client to appoint a Financial Controller in Sydney. You will sharpen the control environment, improve cash visibility, and lead a growing finance team reporting to the CFO and sponsor.

The role focuses on strengthening forecasting, reporting quality, and governance across the function, while collaborating with external advisers and auditors.