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 .

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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 solid 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.

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 nn
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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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Robust hands-on experience using Xero

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Proven experience managing AP, AR, invoicing, payroll and month-end processes

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Strong 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 nn
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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