DeadlyScience is seeking a Full-Time Financial Controller based at our Port Macquarie office with hybrid and remote candidates considered, on an initial 12 month contract (potential to extend).

The Financial Controller is a newly established senior specialist role, created to give DeadlyScience an in-house finance lead that can scale with the organisation.

The role will be hands-on today and increasingly strategic over time, including leading and mentoring a growing finance team and building budget confidence among program managers.

The Financial

Controller leads all financial operations, controls, budgeting and strategic financial planning, ensuring funds are managed with integrity, funders and regulators are satisfied, and the CEO and Board receive timely, reliable reports to make informed decisions. As a new role in an ambitious and rapidly growing organisation, the Financial Controller will build a finance function, with the systems and processes to sustain that growth now and into the future.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Financial Management & Control

- Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable/receivable, banking and reconciliations

- Own the integrity, accuracy and reliability of the general ledger and the month-end/year-end close processes

- Maintain and continuously improve financial controls, policies and procedures, including segregation of duties and approval workflows

- Develop and maintain the finance policy and delegations framework

Reporting

- Deliver accurate monthly management accounts within 10 business days of month-end, including P&L;, balance sheet, cash flow and commentary.

- Prepare quarterly and annual financial reports, and Board and Finance and Audit (FAC) and Risk and Compliance (RAC) subcommittee papers with clear analysis of variances, risks and trends

- Report by program and funding source so the organisation can see the true cost of each service

- Present financial performance to the Executive and Senior Leadership teams, acting as a finance business partner in monthly meetings with budget holders

- Prepare the annual financial statements and the ACNC Annual Information Statement, and lead the external audit

Budgeting, Forecasting and Cash

- Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with the CEO and program/department leads

- Monitor budget performance and provide variance analysis and commentary to the CEO and Board

- Develop and maintain rolling three-way forecasts (P&L;, balance sheet and cash flow) and scenario modelling

- Model the financial impact of growth, including current programs, tenders, staffing and premises

- Manage cash flow, treasury, reserves and investments in line with Board-approved policy





Program, Grant and Funding Compliance

- Maintain a register of all funding agreements, milestones and reporting deadlines

- Track and report on restricted/tied funding, including unexpended funds and correct revenue recognition (AASB 15 / AASB 1058)

- Prepare financial acquittals and donor/funder reports accurately and on time

- Provide financial modelling, costings and budgets for program budgets, grant applications, tenders and funding proposals

Statutory, Tax and Regulatory Compliance

- Ensure compliance with ACNC financial reporting obligations, applicable Australian Accounting Standards and other charity-sector requirements

- Manage GST, BAS, FBT, payroll tax (where applicable), superannuation and workers' compensation obligations and lodgements

- Maintain charity, DGR and FBT concession compliance (e.g. salary packaging caps)

- Support the FAC and RAC with the risk register, insurance and internal controls

Systems, Payroll and Process Improvement

- Own and improve the organisation's financial systems, tools and processes (e.g. Xero, payroll, expense and approval tools) to enable growth

- Oversee payroll and superannuation processing

- Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency in financial operations

- Manage relationships with the bank, external auditor and any outsourced bookkeeping, payroll or salary packaging providers

- Maintain strict confidentiality in handling sensitive financial and organisational information

Leadership

- Lead, mentor and grow the finance team as the organisation scales

- Build financial literacy among program managers so they own their budgets

- Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO and leadership team on financial sustainability

Essential Requirements:

Qualifications

- CA or CPA qualification

- Tertiary qualification in accounting, finance, commerce or a related field

Experience

- 5 years' experience in a senior financial management role, ideally including a Financial Controller or Finance Manager position, covering budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting

- Not-for-profit experience, including grant/tied-funding accounting, acquittals and AASB 15 / AASB 1058

- Sound knowledge of ACNC reporting obligations and Australian Accounting Standards as they apply to charities





- Strong command of charity-relevant tax obligations: GST, FBT, payroll tax and salary packaging

- Experience preparing and presenting Board reports and managing an external audit

- People leadership experience

- Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial audiences
- A hands-on approach: comfortable doing the work as well as leading it

IT

- Advanced skills in Xero (or similar cloud accounting system) and Excel. Confident with Google systems, Atlassian products, MS 365, Asana, HRIS (preferably Employment Hero) and CRM (ideally Salesforce)

Compliance

- Current NSW Working with Children Check (or ability to obtain)

- National Police Check within last 12 months

- Valid Australian driver license

- Ability to safely undertake manual handling within role requirements

- Willingness to complete AIATSIS Core Cultural training

- Right to work in Australia

Desirable Attributes

- Lived experience or strong understanding of First Nations cultures and protocols

- Experience in an organisation going through rapid growth or change, including small or growing organisations with limited back-office infrastructure

- Experience implementing new finance systems or processes

- Experience with DGR/PBI compliance

- Alignment with DeadlyScience's mission and values

About us

DeadlyScience Ltd is a leading provider of educational programs and resources, specialising in delivering culturally-responsive learning experiences to communities across Australia. Founded in 2018, our mission is to inspire and support the next generation of First Nations scientists, engineers, and technologists by improving access to culturally relevant STEM education.

We're committed to equity, cultural integrity, and closing the gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. DeadlyScience is a proud Aboriginal-led organisation, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.

What we offer

At DeadlyScience Ltd, we are committed to supporting the professional and personal growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a range of benefits, including:

- Ongoing professional development opportunities

- Flexible work arrangements where possible to support work-life balance

- Generous leave entitlements and salary packaging

How to apply:

Please submit your resume and a 1 page cover letter addressing your skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Interviews are expected to occur as soon as applications are received, so don't delay your application. Due to the high volume of applications anticipated, we may not be able to respond to all enquiries.

📌 Financial Controller (Port Macquarie)
🏢 DeadlyScience
📍 Port Macquarie