At Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI), we use evidence to improve the lives of children, families and communities. Our work spans Australia, Singapore, the UK, Norway and beyond, and the finance function provides the foundation that allows that work to happen reliably and responsibly.

As we approach our tenth year, our new organisational strategy and business improvement plan set the direction for CEI's next phase. A key part of that work is investing in strong financial foundations — continuing to develop a finance function that is scalable and ready for the future, while keeping the organisation running effectively today and strengthening the systems and processes that will support our growth.

This role is an important part of that work. You will run the day-to-day accounting cycle across our Australian, Singaporean and UK entities, working closely with the Head of Finance and colleagues across the organisation.

Being close to the detail gives you the visibility to strengthen controls, improve processes and help shape the systems and team structure around the function. If you take real satisfaction in clean reconciliations, well-run month-ends and financial information people can rely on — while always looking for a better way to do things — you'll thrive here.

You will not be building this alone. You will work closely with an experienced Head of Finance who will provide direction, support and development, alongside a hands-on COO, a remote finance team member who assists with the day-to-day work, and an operations team that supports thoughtful improvement across the organisation.

Innovation, streamlining and simplification are part of how we want to work every day — but improvement does not mean changing things for the sake of it. Some processes already work well, while others are ready to evolve. We want to be intentional about what we change and why: preserving what works, improving what does not and focusing our effort where it will make a meaningful difference.

In practice, the role spans three connected areas:

- Core Finance Operations — you will take responsibility for the accounting processes that keep CEI running, including accounts payable and receivable, payment runs, bank and balance sheet reconciliations, payroll inputs, expenses and tax obligations across multiple entities. You will remain close enough to the detail to know the numbers are right,



while improving how the work is organised, supported and delivered as the function evolves.

- Month-End, Reporting and Assurance — you will work with the Head of Finance to deliver accurate and timely month-end and year-end processes, prepare journals and supporting schedules, and help produce clear financial information for CEI's leaders. You will also support external audits — preparing documentation, responding to queries and keeping the process moving.

- Systems, Partnership and Improvement — you will be a trusted finance contact for project and operational teams, helping colleagues understand budgets, processes and what the numbers mean. You will improve guidance and documentation, strengthen controls, and take an active role in CEI's forthcoming finance platform migration — contributing to requirements, testing and transition while maintaining discipline in the current environment.

Across all three, you will be looking for practical opportunities to make finance more reliable, useful and repeatable — building on what already works and improving what will help CEI operate more effectively.

You will bring practical experience across the accounting cycle, including AP and AR, month-end processing, reconciliations and general ledger maintenance. You understand the importance of strong controls and accurate records, but you can also step back, see where a process could work better and take the initiative to improve it.

You may have worked across different entities, offices, funding arrangements or jurisdictions, or supported a finance system or process through a period of change. Just as importantly, you can explain financial information clearly to people outside finance and handle sensitive matters with discretion and good judgement.

You will most likely have four to six years of relevant accounting experience and may come from a professional services firm, consultancy, not-for-profit organisation or small-to-medium business where you have worked across the breadth of finance rather than within one narrow area.





A degree in accounting, finance or a related discipline is required. A completed CA or CPA qualification, or progress towards one, would be highly regarded but is not essential. Experience with Xero, NetSuite or a similar accounting platform, together with robust spreadsheet skills, will also be valuable.

You do not need to tick every box. Ultimately, what will help you succeed in this role is sound accounting capability, good judgement, a practical approach to improving how things work and the ability to build trusted relationships across the organisation.

Life at CEI

CEI is a global not-for-profit with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, London, Singapore and Oslo, meaning you will work with colleagues across the organisation and see the impact of your work. Your contribution will be visible and valued, with opportunities to broaden your portfolio and work with our global partners.

You will be based in our modern office in Collingwood; in a building we share with a community of other organisations. It is a genuinely social place to work: breakfast on site every Tuesday, a monthly international lunch shared with the rest of the building and regular activities. The role offers hybrid working — three days a week in the office — with the flexibility of a team that trusts people to take real responsibility for their work.

On benefits, CEI offers salary packaging, a paid day off for your birthday, and a festive closure period over the end of the year that does not come out of your annual leave.

We also invest in your development. That includes paid time off to sit exams and pursue professional development, coverage of your skilled membership fees, and more — practical support to keep growing, including towards completing your CA or CPA.

A note on the contract

This is a full-time, 24-month position with the possibility of extension.

How to apply

To apply, review the full Position Description and submit your CV and a short cover note via the link below. We are interested in what you have done, how you approach your work and what you have made better — not a lengthy application.

CEI actively welcomes applications from people with diverse backgrounds and lived experience of the social issues and communities our work seeks to serve. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

📌 Accountant - Finance Operations (Collingwood)
🏢 Centre for Evidence and Implementation
📍 Collingwood