Pacific International Insurance – Newcastle NSW

At Pacific International Insurance, we exist to provide our people, partners, and policyholders with soft landings when they need it most. As we scale towards our next phase of growth, we’re looking for a Financial Controller to step in and support the CFO. This role will be pivotal in combining technical excellence with strategic influence and systems thinking across a global team.

The opportunity…

In this role you’ll take ownership of financial accounting, reporting, and controls, while also playing a pivotal role in evolving our finance function to support significant growth. You’ll help shape the systems, data capability, and the technology stack that underpin that journey, including the integration of AI and automation into how we operate.

About the role …

Internal controls and assurance

- Design and build Pacific's assurance architecture: control test packs for every reported output, stating what is checked, against what source, to what tolerance, and with what evidence.
- Sub-certify to the CFO before each reported output is signed and maintain the exception register that supports it.
- Identify control gaps and develop and deliver remediation plans.

Financial accounting and reporting

- Drive close acceleration, working with the Financial Manager (South Africa) who owns the close itself — targeting working day 10 by March 2027.
- Produce monthly flash packs for each executive: short, usable views of their business performance in language they can act on.
- Oversee preparation of statutory financial statements and support lodgement of regulatory returns.
- Operationalise Pacific's first climate-related financial disclosure.

Regulatory and tax reporting

- Own the preparation, review and lodgement of prudential and statistical returns to APRA and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
- Maintain working knowledge of APRA prudential standards and RBNZ requirements, and lead the response to regulatory developments and consultations.




- Manage the preparation and lodgement of all tax obligations including GST, income tax and insurance industry levies.

Budgeting, forecasting and audit

- Run the annual budget cycle end-to-end: own the calendar, the assumptions register and the pack, challenging inputs before they reach the CFO.
- Deliver and operate Pacific's forecasting capability, built on an agentic AI framework.
- Act as the primary client liaison with external auditors, managing the audit from planning through to completion.

Systems, data and team leadership

- Champion AI, automation and modern analytics tooling within the finance function to reduce manual effort and improve insight quality.
- Lead three direct reports and support the CFO in leading the broader finance team across Australia and South Africa.
- Represent finance in systems and change forums and make the call on how software should work for the function.

About you …

You’re a technically strong Financial Controller who thrives in complexity and change.

You bring:

- Strong experience in financial control, reporting, and audit
- Deep understanding of Australian accounting standards and regulatory environments
- Experience in financial services or insurance (highly regarded)
- Proven ability to build and evolve control frameworks
- Advanced data and analytical capability
- A mindset geared towards innovation, systems thinking, and continuous improvement

Why you will love working with us…

- Competitive remuneration and variable rewards
- Supportive and collaborative hybrid work workplace that values work-life balance
- Wellbeing Program offering EAP and annual wellbeing reimbursement
- Volunteer and support opportunities to make a difference in your local community
- Reward and Recognition Program offering both monetary rewards and additional leave at key service milestones
- A mission-driven company focused on the wellbeing of pets and their people
- A supportive, values-led culture where care and integrity come first
- The chance to shape a growing business with real leadership influence

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📌 Financial Controller (Newcastle City Council)
🏢 Pacific International Insurance
📍 Newcastle City Council