Perth Waldorf School invites applications for a Finance Operations Manager / Senior Bookkeeper

Hands-on Finance, Payroll and Reporting

Full-time | Immediate Start Available

Salary up to $110,000 + 12% superannuation, depending on skills and experience

About the role: Perth Waldorf School is seeking an experienced, highly capable finance professional to take a hands-on operational leadership role in the day-to-day running of the School’s finance function. This is a pivotal position for someone who combines strong technical finance knowledge with practical judgement, excellent organisation and a genuine “can do” approach.

Working closely with the Executive Director, you will be the operational lead within the finance team: ensuring the books are accurate and current, payroll is delivered correctly, reconciliations and month-end processes are completed on time, cash flow and management reports are reliable, and Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll are well supported. You will also help improve systems, simplify processes, and build a finance service that is responsive and helpful to staff, parents, and suppliers.

What you will be doing

- Take hands-on responsibility for the integrity and smooth day-to-day operation of the finance function.

- Manage payroll end-to-end and provide experienced oversight of fortnightly payroll transactions, employee changes, superannuation, leave accruals, STP reports to ATO, Payroll reports, and statutory obligations.

- Oversee and support Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. Stepping in when issues are complex or deadlines require practical assistance.

- Complete and review bank transactions and reconciliations of accounts, month-end and year-end processes, monthly BAS reconciliations and reporting, journals and account maintenance.

- Prepare monthly management reports, budget-to-actual reporting, cash-flow forecasts, and clear financial information for the Executive Director and School Council.

- Support the annual budget, audit preparation, statutory financial reporting,



and the finance/ compliance calendar.

- Investigate variances and unusual transactions and ensure reports are accurate before they are released.

- Improve finance systems and workflows, making effective use of Xero, Definitiv, Sentral and Microsoft 365 and reducing unnecessary manual or duplicated processes.

- Guide, train and support finance team members, encourage cross-training and help maintain transparent procedures and checklists.

- Provide practical, solutions-focused support to Heads of Faculty, staff, parents and suppliers while maintaining appropriate financial controls.

About you

- You are an experienced senior bookkeeper or finance professional with at least five years’ relevant experience.

- You know how a finance office actually works: you are comfortable getting into the detail, solving problems yourself and helping others finish the job.

- You have strong bookkeeping, reconciliation, payroll, month-end, budgeting, cashflow, and reporting capability.

- You are organised, accurate and dependable, with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines and follow matters through to completion.

- You are confident with accounting and payroll systems and learn new technology quickly. Experience with Xero, Definitiv and Sentral would be highly regarded.

- You communicate clearly and calmly, can explain finance to non-finance colleagues, and bring a respectful, service-oriented manner to internal and external customers.

- You take initiative, exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality, and are willing to roll up your sleeves when the team needs support.

- A relevant bookkeeping, accounting or finance qualification is expected.

Why you should apply





This is more than a back-office finance role. Working closely with the Executive Director, you will have genuine scope to shape and strengthen the School's finance function - improving systems, processes, reporting and ways of working - and to play a significant operational leadership role within the organisation.

You will enjoy this role if you like working with people as much as numbers; building relationships with educational leaders, teachers, administration staff, parents and colleagues; and using finance to help the School achieve its purpose. We are looking for someone who takes ownership, solves problems, supports others, and is willing to step beyond a narrowly defined finance remit when needed.

About Perth Waldorf School

Perth Waldorf School provides Steiner education from Playgroup to Year 12 from its Bibra Lake campus and a Year 7–11 campus at Parkerville. The School values thoughtful relationships, collaboration and a warm community culture, while expecting high standards of professional practice, financial stewardship and service. It would be expected that you would strive to connect with the ethos and culture of the school.

“At Perth Waldorf School we are committed to promoting the safety, health and wellbeing of children and young people and expect all school staff, parents, students, volunteers and visitors to share that commitment.”

How to apply

Please submit a one-page cover letter summarising your suitability for the role, your CV including qualifications, and the names and contact details of three referees who can be contacted with your permission during the interview stage to [email protected]

A current Working with Children Check (or willingness to obtain one) and the right to work in Australia are required. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Applications close: Thursday 1st October 2026, however Perth Waldorf School reserves the right to appoint a suitable candidate prior to the closing date or to re-advertise.

📌 Finance Operations Manager / Senior Bookkeeper (Bibra Lake)
🏢 Perth Waldorf School
📍 Bibra Lake