Job Description
We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded and
hands-on Group Finance Manager
to take ownership of the finance function across a diversified group of businesses, with a primary focus on our
higher education portfolio
.
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This is a broad, fast-paced role requiring someone who can quickly understand multiple businesses and take responsibility for their financial operations
concurrently
. You will oversee several entities rather than focusing on one business at a time.
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The successful candidate will ideally have finance experience within a
University, TAFE, College, School, Higher Education or similar regulated education environment
, together with strong multi-entity accounting experience.
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This is not purely a management or reporting position. You must be comfortable working directly in
Xero
, processing and reviewing transactions, managing payroll, AP/AR, invoicing and reconciliations, while also producing budgets, cash-flow forecasts, management accounts and Board-level reporting.
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The majority of the role will support our education businesses, with additional responsibility for finance activities relating to property, real estate and other Group investments.
Group Finance Manager Job Summary n
We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded and
hands-on Group Finance Manager
to take ownership of the finance function across a diversified group of businesses, with a primary focus on our
higher education portfolio
.
n
This is a broad, fast-paced role requiring someone who can quickly understand multiple businesses and take responsibility for their financial operations
concurrently
. You will oversee several entities rather than focusing on one business at a time.
n
The successful candidate will ideally have finance experience within a
University, TAFE, College, School, Higher Education or similar regulated education environment
, together with strong multi-entity accounting experience.
n
This is not purely a management or reporting position. You must be comfortable working directly in
Xero
, processing and reviewing transactions, managing payroll, AP/AR, invoicing and reconciliations, while also producing budgets, cash-flow forecasts, management accounts and Board-level reporting.
n
The majority of the role will support our education businesses, with additional responsibility for finance activities relating to property, real estate and other Group investments.
Key Responsibilities n
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Take ownership of the day-to-day finance function across multiple Group entities
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Quickly develop an understanding of each business, its financial position, cash flow and reporting requirements
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Maintain accurate financial records and accounts using
Xero
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Manage Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR)
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Prepare and issue invoices and actively monitor outstanding receivables
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Manage invoicing and financial administration relating to tenants,



leases and property activities
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Process and review financial transactions, journals and general ledger entries
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Manage payroll, salary payments, payroll reconciliations and superannuation
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Prepare monthly payroll journals and reconciliations
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Manage month-end and year-end close processes across multiple entities
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Perform balance sheet, bank and intercompany reconciliations and promptly investigate variances
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Manage intercompany transactions and maintain accurate loan and related-party account records
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Prepare BAS, IAS and GST reporting and assist with FBT and other statutory requirements
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Maintain fixed asset registers, including capitalisation and depreciation
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Prepare timely monthly management accounts and financial reports for senior management and Boards
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Prepare and maintain annual budgets and rolling cash-flow forecasts
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Monitor actual performance against budgets and forecasts and explain material variances
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Maintain visibility over Group cash requirements and upcoming financial obligations
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Support government funding, grants, acquittals and compliance reporting where applicable
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Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, banks and professional advisers
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Support internal and external audits and regulatory financial reporting requirements
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Assist management with acquisitions, financial due diligence, completion accounts and integration of newly acquired businesses
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Develop and improve financial controls, systems, policies and processes across the Group
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Identify financial issues proactively and bring them to management's attention with recommended solutions
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Provide financial and accounting support across property, real estate and other Group activities
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Undertake other finance and accounting responsibilities reasonably required by management
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Essential Requirements n
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Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related discipline
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CPA or CA qualification preferred
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Demonstrated accounting or finance experience within a
University, TAFE, College, School, Higher Education or similar education environment
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Demonstrated experience managing the finance function across
multiple entities or business units simultaneously
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Strong hands-on experience using
Xero
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Proven experience managing AP, AR, invoicing, payroll and month-end processes
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Solid general ledger, bank and balance sheet reconciliation experience
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Experience managing intercompany transactions and reconciliations
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Knowledge of BAS, IAS, GST, FBT and Australian statutory compliance requirements
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Strong payroll, superannuation and associated compliance experience
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Experience preparing monthly management accounts, budgets and cash-flow forecasts
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Experience supporting internal and external audits
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Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
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Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
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Demonstrated ability to prioritise competing deadlines and work efficiently across multiple businesses
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Ability to work independently, take ownership and complete tasks with minimal supervision
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Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with senior management
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Highly Regarded n
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Experience with government-funded or regulated education providers
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Understanding of Australian higher education, VET and/or international education
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Experience with student revenue, FEE-HELP or government education funding
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Experience with group consolidations
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Exposure to property, commercial leasing or real estate accounting
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Experience preparing Board and committee financial reporting
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Experience supporting acquisitions, financial due diligence, completion accounts or post-acquisition integration
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Experience improving finance systems and processes within growing businesses
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The Person We Are Looking For n
This role will suit someone who enjoys working in an
entrepreneurial, growing and fast-moving organisation
rather than a narrowly defined corporate finance position.
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We are looking for someone who is:
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Hands-on
– willing to work directly in the accounts rather than simply supervising others
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Fast and organised
– able to understand several businesses and manage competing priorities
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Commercially minded
– able to look beyond the numbers and understand what they mean for the business
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Proactive
– identifies problems, follows them through and proposes solutions without waiting to be asked
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Accountable
– takes ownership of deadlines and deliverables
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Adaptable
– comfortable moving between education, property and other business activities
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Management focused
– able to turn financial information into useful reporting for decision-making
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About the Role n
You will work closely with the Group CEO and senior management and have visibility across multiple businesses, investments and acquisitions.
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The position will be predominantly focused on our growing education portfolio, while also supporting the Group's property, real estate and investment activities.
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This is an opportunity for an experienced Finance Manager to take genuine ownership of a growing Group finance function, improve its systems and reporting, and develop with the organisation as it expands.
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📌 Group Finance Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Ustudy
📍 Melbourne