Senior Finance Manager

About AARNet

Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet), founded in 1989, has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s digital landscape as the pioneers of the country’s Internet. Our mission extends beyond mere connectivity; we are the architects, builders, and operators of a world-class network infrastructure that fuels critical research and learning. At AARNet, innovation thrives within a vibrant community.

The Role: Senior Finance Manager

This new role is responsible for leading and developing the financial accounting team of two financial accountants.

Core duties include directing financial reporting, coordinating the year end audit process, ensuring tax and statutory compliance, and financial system optimisation.

This role is central to an active finance transformation agenda, moving the team from largely manual processes toward automated, best-practice workflows using existing and emerging technology.

You will bring a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach, identifying what is not working, designing better ways of doing things, and take your team on the journey.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Performance

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 2 financial accountants, setting clear performance expectations and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Oversight of the asset management and Accounts Receivable functions.

Financial Reporting

• Oversee preparation of month-end and year-end close processes across the consolidated group.
• Direct responsibility for payroll, intercompany and tax effect accounting balances.

Year-end Reporting & Audit Liaison

• Lead preparation of the group audited financial statements.
• Lead the coordination and effectiveness of the year-end audit.

Tax Compliance

• Ensuring compliance with local tax legislation including Income tax, GST, BAS, FBT, payroll tax.
• Communication with external tax advisors where required.

Financial Control

• Maintain strong internal controls over the financial accounting function.
• Identify and report on risks, process gaps, or compliance issues, with proposed remediation actions.

System Optimisation

• Work closely with the finance systems manager to maintain and improve financial ERP systems and internal control procedures to drive operational efficiency.
• Champion the effective use of existing finance systems and tools, driving adoption and identifying underutilised functionality.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

Essential

• Experience managing a small finance team, with evidence of improving team performance.
• Demonstrated experience in financial statement preparation, tax compliance, year-end audit support and internal control frameworks.
• Proven ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement practical improvements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Highly Regarded

• Experience working in a medium-large corporate group environment undergoing finance system or process transformation within a complex ERP environment.
• Experience in Asset Management and/or Accounts Receivable.
• Technologyone ERP exposure.
• Telecommunication and/or construction industry experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or Economics.
• CA or CPA qualification is required.
• Australian Citizen.

Why Work at AARNet?

At AARNet, we’re passionate about advancing global education and critical research. Our Australia-wide network, with global reach, supports some of the most demanding network-based applications. If you’re looking for a purpose-driven workplace where you can make a difference, consider joining our team.

Make an impact: By working with us, you’ll directly contribute to critical research in fields like astronomy, physics, earth observation, environment, health, and medicine. Our mission matters, and we’re committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

 Competitive Benefits and Conditions:

• Superannuation: Enjoy a 17% superannuation contribution.
• Parental/Adoption Leave: We offer 24 weeks of paid parental leave and superannuation top-up.
• Secondary Carer Leave: 16 weeks of paid parental leave for secondary caregivers.
• Wellness Leave: 2 days per month paid Women’s wellness leave.
• Family & Domestic Violence Leave: 20 days of paid leave.
• Other Supportive Leaves: Paid leave for various life events such as weddings, deaths, trauma, and disasters.
• Purchased Leave: Options to purchase additional Annual Leave.
• Flexible Work Options: We support work-life balance.
• Equal Opportunity Focus: We value diversity and inclusion.
• Social Responsibility and Ethics: We lead by example.
• Cutting-Edge Technologies: Access to work with the latest industry technology.