Well Respected Private School | Sydney's Inner West
An exciting opportunity has become available for an experienced Senior Financial Accountant to join the Business Office of a well respected independent school located in Sydney's Inner West.
Reporting to the Finance Manager, you'll become part of a close-knit and collaborative finance team, playing a key role in delivering accurate financial reporting while managing end-to-end payroll in a complex environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys combining technical financial accounting with payroll expertise in a values-driven organisation.
Key Responsibilities
As the Senior Financial Accountant, you will be responsible for:
- Managing month-end and year-end financial reporting, including journals, reconciliations, accruals and prepayments.
- Assisting with budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and the preparation of quarterly budget reports for budget owners.
- Preparing the annual payroll and staffing budget in collaboration with the Principal.
- Supporting the external audit process, including preparing documentation, liaising with auditors and responding to audit queries.
- Managing end-to-end fortnightly payroll, ensuring accurate and timely processing of salaries, superannuation, taxation and employee entitlements.
- Ensuring compliance with payroll legislation, Awards, Enterprise Agreements and statutory obligations.
- Preparing payroll reconciliations and monthly payroll-related balance sheet reconciliations.
- Partnering closely with HR to maintain accurate employee records, contracts and payroll data.
- Preparing FBT returns, workers compensation declarations and other statutory payroll reporting.
- Supporting workforce reporting and providing payroll insights to assist College leadership with workforce planning and budgeting.
- Driving continuous improvement, automation and best-practice controls across finance and payroll systems.
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- CA or CPA qualification.
- Minimum five years' experience in financial accounting.
- Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end payroll within a complex organisation.
- Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, Awards, Enterprise Agreements and statutory compliance.
- Advanced financial reporting, reconciliation and technical accounting skills.
- Excellent analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong systems capability, with experience using payroll and finance systems (Micropay highly regarded).
- The ability to manage competing priorities and build strong relationships across the business.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience within the education or not-for-profit sector will be highly regarded.
- Join one of Sydney's most respected independent schools.
- Diverse and rewarding role across financial accounting, payroll and strategic workforce reporting.
- Collaborative and supportive Finance team with close interaction across HR and College leadership.
- Structured succession opportunity with an extensive payroll handover before assuming full ownership of the function.
- Opportunity to contribute to strategic budgeting and workforce planning alongside senior leadership.
- Beautiful Inner West location with convenient public transport access.
- Stable, purpose-driven organisation with an outstanding workplace culture.
Apply now or contact Jessica Priebee for a confidential discussion: jpriebee@quayappointments.com.au
