Finance Manager

About the business

Arethusa College is an independent, co-educational school catering for students requiring an alternative to mainstream schooling. We are accredited as a Special Assistance School with campuses located across SE Queensland.

We believe in providing an alternate approach to education for students where previous schooling in a mainstream setting has not been successful due to social, emotional, physical, educational, family or situational difficulties. The College provides education which is innovative and meets the needs of each student, some of whom have learning difficulties and disabilities.  

At Arethusa College we Believe, Expect and Celebrate as we see our students move towards achieving their full potential. Our College prides itself on promoting individual wellbeing and support for all in our community. The College acknowledges that quality education only exists where there are quality educators, and therefore values the contributions made by our staff. Our staff promote self-discipline, believing that the responsibility to change the future lies within the individual and is not found merely inside educational policy or applying unfair discipline.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Finance Manager to join our College with the opportunity for a long-term career. This position will be based at our Business Hub, located at our Deception Bay Campus.

This position offers a unique chance to utilise your finance expertise within a school environment, making a significant impact on the financial health and strategic decision-making of our institution.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the Finance Team
• Oversee and manage the day-to-day financial operations of the school, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
• Collaborate with other departments to provide financial analysis and support for decision-making processes.
• Monitor and evaluate financial performance, identifying areas for improvement and recommending strategies to optimise resources.
• Assist in the development of the annual budget, working closely with Executive Team 
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders, such as auditors, banks, and regulatory authorities.
• Stay updated on relevant financial trends, regulations, and best practices in the education industry.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. A master's degree or MBA is highly preferred.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in financial management, preferably within the education sector.
• Membership of a professional institution (CPA, CA or equivalent) or maintenance of eligibility for membership would be highly regarded.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Experience with financial software systems and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with TASS would be well regarded
• Experience with managing Payroll for 400 plus employees
• Excellent analytical skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information effectively to non-financial stakeholders.
• Proven leadership and management abilities with a track record of successfully leading a finance team.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make strategic financial decisions.
• Demonstrated integrity and ethical behavior in financial management.

If you are an ambitious finance professional with a passion for the education sector and a desire to fast-track your career we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

The successful candidate will be required to hold a Working With Children Card (Blue Card) prior to commencing.

Applications to include a cover letter addressing how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the the role.