Stella Maris College seeks a permanent full-time Finance Manager to lead the finance function, manage financial reporting, budgets, payroll governance, controls, and compliance.
Stella Maris College Mission and Vision
Stella Maris College, Manly, is a Catholic secondary school for girls in Years 7 to 12, inspired by the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition. As one of ten schools nationally, that form the Good Samaritan Education (GSE) network, the College upholds a holistic and inclusive approach to education, grounded in the values of stewardship, mutuality, prayer, hospitality, humility, discernment, justice, and peace.
Informed by the Good Samaritan Philosophy of Education, Stella Maris is committed to fostering a learning environment that promotes innovative pedagogy across all areas of the curriculum while nurturing the personal, social, and spiritual growth of each student. At the heart of this commitment is a strong focus on pastoral care, which seeks to ensure that every student is known, valued, and supported to flourish.
The College encourages students to become grounded, hope-filled young people who are capable of deep listening, wise leadership, and compassionate engagement with others and the world. Pastoral care at Stella Maris is not a separate program but an integrated and relational approach that informs all aspects of school life, from the classroom to the co-curricular space, fostering a sense of belonging and wellbeing.
Stella Maris College is incorporated and governed locally by a Board of Directors, accountable through the Company Members to Good Samaritan Education.

Position Purpose
The Finance Manager is responsible for the leadership, management and continuous improvement of the College's finance function. The role supports accurate financial reporting, effective financial controls, payroll governance, regulatory compliance and effective financial operations.

Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Business Services, the Finance Manager provides timely financial analysis and advice to support informed decision-making, effective stewardship and the College's long-term financial sustainability.
The Finance Manager is responsible for the management and regular review of all financial compliance obligations, including payroll and remuneration related compliance, in consultation with the Director of Human Resources, Risk and Compliance and the Director of Business Services.

Role Accountabilities
Leadership and Team Development:
Set clear objectives, service standards and accountability expectations for direct reports
Conduct regular performance and development discussions and build capability through coaching, cross-training and documented procedures
Promote respectful, inclusive and professional conduct, manageable workloads and timely escalation of resource pressures
Address performance, conduct and compliance concerns with the Director of Human Resources, Risk and Compliance and in accordance with College procedures

Financial Management and Reporting:
Lead the College's day-to-day finance operations and maintain the integrity of the general ledger and associated records
Prepare accurate monthly management accounts, variance analysis and explanatory commentary
Provide financial data for the College Annual Report
Prepare the annual financial questionnaire for the Department of Education
Monitor cashflow and monthly balance-sheet reconciliations
Prepare year-end financial statements, coordinate interim and annual external audits, and implement agreed audit recommendations
Maintain complete records supporting financial reports, regulatory submissions and audits
Maintain the College fixed asset register, including acquisitions, disposals, annual verification, depreciation schedules, assessment of write-offs and reconciliation to the general ledger
Manage billing and revenue collection associated with facility hire, venue hire and other commercial use of College facilities
Oversee the administration and reconciliation of residential property lease income and associated financial transactions where applicable
Maintain and oversee departmental cost-centre structures and financial coding integrity across the College
Escalate material financial risks, control weaknesses, errors and suspected irregularities promptly

Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Analysis:
Coordinate the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets with realistic, documented assumptions
Understand and model annual government recurrent funding
Prepare and maintain rolling cash-flow forecasts to support liquidity management and financial planning
Monitor performance against approved budgets and prepare forecasts and scenario analysis
Ensure regular expenditure-to-budget reporting and financial analysis is made available to budget managers and College leaders
Support department managers in budget preparation, monitoring and forecasting activities
Support business cases, capital proposals, investment evaluations and long-term sustainability planning
Assist with development of financial models and scenario analyses to support strategic planning, emerging risk analysis, capital projects and business improvement initiatives

Payroll Governance and Compliance:
Manage the fortnightly payroll processing, including detailed review and upload to the bank prior to authorisation
Provide operational oversight of payroll through the Payroll Processing Coordinator and Payroll Compliance Coordinator
Lead payroll governance activities, including coordination of Workplace Gender Equality Agency reporting
Establish systems, controls and monitoring to support compliance with applicable industrial instruments,



employment contracts, minimum standards, taxation, superannuation, leave, salary packaging and record-keeping obligations
Oversee payroll reconciliations, exception reports, compliance checks and segregation of duties between processing, review, approval and payment release
Prepare regular reconciliations of payroll provisions and entitlements, including annual leave, long service leave, paternity leave and paid parental leave
Supervise and approve the preparation of superannuation reconciliations and payment obligations
Review material adjustments, overpayments, underpayments and unusual transactions; ensure discrepancies are investigated, documented, escalated and remediated
Coordinate periodic payroll audits and maintain appropriate protections over banking, taxation, superannuation and salary information
Work with the Director of Human Resources, Risk and Compliance and the Director of Business Services to ensure approved employment terms and workforce changes are accurately reflected in payroll

Accounts Receivable and Other Revenue:
Supervise tuition fee administration, including family account arrangements
Oversee collection of overdue fees, including proactively meeting with parents together with the Director of Business Services and Principal where required
Maintain controls over adjustments, credits, refunds and write-offs, ensuring approvals within established delegations
Ensure family financial information is handled confidentially, and approved assistance and recovery arrangements are administered consistently and respectfully
Oversee administration of international student account fees
Monitor other revenue recognition, including facility hire; events and extracurricular activities; uniform shop commission, including oversight of external uniform shop management; intrastate, interstate and international trips; and commercial activities
Ensure all revenue is accurately reconciled and reported

Accounts Payable and Procurement Controls:
Oversee supplier invoices, payment runs, supplier creation and changes to banking details
Maintain separation between invoice entry, approval and payment release, and monitor duplicate payments and unusual transactions
Ensure expenditure is supported by evidence and approval and complies with procurement and contract-management requirements
Escalate suspected fraud, conflicts of interest or unauthorised expenditure

Insurance and Property Financial Administration:
Coordinate annual insurance declarations, schedules, valuations and policy renewals
Maintain accurate records supporting property, asset and insurance reporting obligations
Manage general insurance claims and related insurer correspondence in consultation with relevant College leaders
Provide financial information and support regarding workers compensation matters when requested by the Director of Human Resources, Risk & Compliance or Director of Business Serivices
Maintain financial records and reconciliations relating to College-managed property arrangements where applicable

Financial Governance, Risk and Internal Controls:
Maintain an effective control environment and documented finance procedures
Monitor segregation of duties, financial policies, delegations and evidence of key approvals
Participate in audit and assurance activities and track control improvements and audit actions
Support fraud prevention and detection and cooperate with authorised investigations
Ensure governance reports are accurate, complete and appropriately authorised

Strategic and Governance Support:
Provide analysis and recommendations to the Director of Business Services and support reporting to the Principal, College Board and committees
Prepare financial schedules, supporting papers and detailed analysis for the Finance and Audit Committee
Prepare financial reporting for Good Samaritan Education
Coordinate responses to recommendations arising from internal audits, external audits and compliance reviews
Identify opportunities to strengthen financial governance, controls and operational efficiency.
Support capital planning, major-project evaluation, business cases and strategic initiatives
Provide workforce-cost and establishment analysis in consultation with the Human Resource Coordinator
Maintain confidentiality over College Board and committee information

Financial Systems, Privacy and Information Management:
Maintain confidentiality during and after employment
Handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act **** (Cth), applicable Australian Privacy Principles, College policies and contractual obligations
Act as business owner for finance systems, maintaining role-based access, permissions and approval workflows, with periodic finance and payroll access reviews and timely access changes
Use personal information only for authorised College, employment, financial, audit or regulatory purposes, with secure storage, transmission, retention and disposal practices
Report suspected privacy incidents, data breaches or unauthorised access promptly and consult the Privacy Officer where required
Share information with external providers only through approved systems and arrangements
When using College-approved AI technology, ensure privacy is always respected




Maintain financial data integrity and protect interfaces across integrated finance, payroll, HR, student management and point-of-sale systems
Ensure timely reconciliation of transactions between finance systems and retail, student billing and other ancillary systems
Lead continuous improvement in financial systems, automation, workflows and reporting, ensuring system changes are tested, approved and documented
Work collaboratively with the Director of Information and Learning Technologies and College Privacy Officers to strengthen system governance, data integrity, information security, privacy, continuity and recovery

Expectations
Memberships:
Finance Team
Support staff middle leadership team
Membership of and active participation in appropriate professional bodies
Other associated teams or projects

Professionalism and Mission of Stella Maris College:
Is punctual for all duties, presents self appropriately, following dress code as required
Keeps privileged information, to which she/he is privy by virtue of the employment position, confidential
Maintains highly effective working relationship with all staff
Fosters a collaborative work environment
Promotes a healthy work environment that empowers and develops the diverse talents of people
Proactively and positively addresses issues to assist the resolution of conflict
Contributes to the Mission and Vision of the College
Complies with policies and directives issued by Stella Maris College including Child Safeguarding, Work Health and Safety and the Staff Code of Conduct
Acknowledges that the Principal may change or designate additional duties from time to time

Criteria
Essential Criteria for the Role:
Commitment to all Child Safeguarding Principles at Stella Maris College
Ensuring that the GSE Philosophy on Education is reflected in leadership practice
Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Commerce, Finance or a related field
CA or CPA qualification, or substantial progress towards qualification
Significant senior finance or financial-control experience
Demonstrated experience in management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, controls, payroll oversight, accounts receivable, accounts payable, audit coordination and team leadership
Advanced Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and reconciliation, financial modelling, management reporting and dashboard preparation
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail
Accomplished leadership skills pertaining to mentoring staff
Excellent inter-personal skills
A role model for staff, demonstrating professionalism and a commitment to the College's values and mission

Highly Desirable Criteria for the Role:
Independent school, Catholic education or comparable not-for-profit experience
WGEA or equivalent workforce reporting experience
College Board or governance committee reporting experience
Experience improving finance, payroll and reporting systems
Understanding of school fee administration and education-sector finance
Experience using Sage Intacct, Micropay, ConnX and/or Compass

Length of Tenure
The Finance Manager is appointed on a permanent full-time basis.

Remuneration
To be discussed at interview based on qualifications and experience.

Conditions of Appointment
The Finance Manager is appointed by the College Principal.
Preferred applicants will be screened in accordance with Child Protection Legislation.
The appointee must hold a current Working with Children Check.

Workplace Health and Safety
Employees are responsible and accountable for:
compliance with workplace policies and procedures for risk identification, risk assessment and risk control
active participation in activities associated with the management of workplace health and safety
identification and reporting of health and safety risks, accidents, incidents, injuries and property damage at the workplace
where required, correct utilisation of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment or Personal Protective Clothing

Child Protected Standards
Stella Maris College is committed to ensuring that all those engaged in the College promote the fundamental right of children and young people to be respected in a safe school environment. The College has zero tolerance of child abuse and expects all of staff to:
be aware of, understand and comply with the College's Child Safety Policy and Code of Conduct, including the Child Secure Standards, and demonstrate behaviours in accordance with these
be in possession of a current and valid Working with Children Check
respond according to the College's policies and procedures when interacting with children and young people, taking all allegations and concerns very seriously
be committed to providing a safe environment for all children and young people, promoting physical, emotional, and cultural safety

Applications
Applications must include a 1-page cover letter addressed to the Principal including a response that details suitability for the role by addressing each point in the Essential Criteria and Highly Desirable Criteria (where applicable).
Only electronic applications will be accepted.
Applications closeFriday, 13 November ****.
Stella Maris College reserves the right to fill the position prior to this date should a suitable candidate be appointed.
Stella Maris College is a Year 7-12 girls school committed to providing an inclusive education through the provision of quality learning experiences which enhance the students' understanding of our Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition, promote individual creativity and develop their academic potential. Stella graduates leave school prepared to meet the demands and challenges of the 21st Century.

📌 Finance Manager (Full Time) (Brisbane)
🏢 Stella Maris College
📍 Brisbane