Finance Manager – Education & Group Finance

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Finance Manager to oversee the finance function across a diversified group of businesses, with the primary focus being our higher education and education businesses. The successful candidate will have robust experience within a University, TAFE, College, School, Higher Education or similar regulated education environment and will be comfortable managing both strategic financial reporting and day-to-day accounting operations.

This is a broad role requiring someone who is equally comfortable preparing management reports and budgets as they are managing payroll, AP/AR, reconciliations, invoicing and working directly in Xero.

While the majority of the role will support our education businesses, the Finance Manager will also provide financial and accounting support to other businesses within the Group, including our real estate operations.

Key Responsibilities

- Manage day-to-day finance and accounting operations across multiple Group entities.
- Maintain accurate financial records and accounts using Xero.
- Manage Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR).
- Prepare and issue invoices and monitor outstanding receivables.
- Manage invoicing and financial administration relating to tenants, leases and other property-related activities.
- Process and review financial transactions, journals and general ledger entries.
- Oversee payroll processing, salary payments and payroll reconciliations.
- Manage superannuation payments and associated compliance obligations.
- Prepare monthly payroll journals and reconciliations.
- Manage month-end and year-end financial close processes.
- Perform balance sheet and intercompany reconciliations and investigate variances.
- Prepare BAS, IAS,



GST and assist with FBT and other statutory reporting requirements.
- Maintain and manage fixed asset registers, including capitalisation and depreciation.
- Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reports for management and the Board.
- Assist with annual budgets, cash-flow forecasts and financial modelling.
- Monitor business performance against budgets and forecasts.
- Support government funding, grants, acquittals and compliance reporting where applicable.
- Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, banks and other professional advisers.
- Support internal and external audits and regulatory financial reporting requirements.
- Assist management with financial due diligence relating to acquisitions and recent business opportunities.
- Develop and improve financial controls, systems, policies and processes across the Group.
- Provide financial support across other Group businesses, including real estate and property activities.
- Undertake other finance, accounting and administrative duties as reasonably directed by management.

Essential Requirements

- Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related discipline.
- CPA or CA qualification preferred.
- Demonstrated accounting or finance experience within a University, TAFE, College, School, Higher Education or similar education environment.
- Strong hands-on experience using Xero.
- Proven experience managing AP, AR, invoicing, payroll and month-end processes.




- Strong general ledger and balance sheet reconciliation experience.
- Knowledge of BAS, IAS, GST, FBT and Australian statutory compliance requirements.
- Experience with payroll, superannuation and associated compliance obligations.
- Experience preparing management accounts, budgets and cash-flow forecasts.
- Experience supporting internal and external audits.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Solid attention to detail and ability to manage finance functions across multiple entities.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of the day-to-day finance function.

Highly Regarded

- Experience with government-funded or regulated education providers.
- Understanding of the Australian higher education, VET or international education sectors.
- Experience with multi-entity or group accounting.
- Experience with intercompany transactions and consolidations.
- Exposure to property, commercial leasing or real estate accounting.
- Experience preparing Board-level financial reporting.
- Experience supporting acquisitions, financial due diligence or business integration.

About the Role

This position would suit an experienced Finance Manager who enjoys working in an entrepreneurial and growing organisation rather than a narrowly defined corporate finance role. You will work closely with senior management and have visibility across multiple businesses and investments. The role will be predominantly focused on our education portfolio, while also providing finance support to other businesses within the Group as required.

We are looking for someone who is hands-on, commercially minded, organised and comfortable taking ownership of the finance function from day-to-day transactional accounting through to management and Board reporting.

📌 Finance Manager | Higher Education and Group Finance (Melbourne)
🏢 Ustudy
📍 Melbourne