As the Financial Controller, you will manage the financial operations of Good Directions (GD), ensuring accurate, timely and compliant financial management that supports organisational sustainability, participant outcomes and strategic growth.
The role is critical to benefitting NDIS participants and their families, by assisting them to navigate government agencies, NDIS and other industry entities.
This is a hands-on role that balances daily financial operations with leadership, systems improvement and strategic contribution.
You will maintain strong financial controls and real-time visibility across the organisation through disciplined bookkeeping, payroll, revenue integrity and financial oversight, while identifying opportunities to automate and streamline processes to improve efficiency and decision-making.
Working closely with leadership, operations teams, participants and external stakeholders, you will contribute to organisational planning, governance and service delivery aligned with Good Directions Strategic Plan 2025-30.
This role combines operational finance expertise with a commitment to participant empowerment and continuous organisational improvement.
A typical month will involve the successful candidate spending their work hours:
- 40% Operational Finance: you will enable daily business needs to be met through accurate, timely and disciplined financial management.
- 20% Payroll and Compliance: you will review, maintain and strengthen payroll, financial and regulatory processes to ensure we meet our obligations.
- 20% Systems and Automation: you will identify opportunities to streamline processes, automate routine tasks and enhance focus on value-add insights and discussion.
- 20% Strategic Planning, Governance and Stakeholder Support: become a trusted advisor to the COO and leadership team, providing financial insights and practical support to enable make informed decisions and supports sustainable organisational growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Participant and Family Support: Support people with disabilities and their families by strengthening financial and operational systems that enable increasing choice, control and flexibility over day-to-day supports.
- Core Financial Operations: Maintain daily financial operations across the organisation to ensure accurate and current financial records. This includes daily Xero bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable processing, daily bank reconciliations, preparation of bespoke and manual invoices, reconciliation of NDIS receipts and claims, and recovery of advances where required. Prepare monthly IAS and manage fortnightly payroll processing while ensuring same-day financial visibility and disciplined financial controls.
- Payroll and Workforce Financial Integrity: Maintain payroll integrity and compliance across GD systems and workforce arrangements. Ensure integrity of HUB GD payroll and SCHADS Award application, oversee Portable Long Service Leave obligations and manage payroll tax and workers compensation obligations across multiple States. Explore and support strategic workforce risk initiatives, including options relating to self-insurance arrangements and regulatory compliance.
- Revenue Integrity and NDIS Financial Management: Maintain strong oversight of organisational revenue and claiming systems to ensure financial accuracy and compliance. Ensure integrity of HUB NDIS claims and revenue processes, reconcile claiming and receipts, manage NDIS claim audits and support accurate claiming practices aligned with participant agreements and regulatory requirements.
- Financial Management, Reporting and Audit: Prepare monthly financial reporting including profit and loss, balance sheet, cashflow and variance analysis to support leadership and Advisory Board oversight. Prepare annual accounts and coordinate the annual financial audit process. Contribute financial reporting and analysis to GD Advisory Board and support internal audit processes that strengthen governance and organisational accountability.
- Strategic Planning and Financial Analysis: Contribute to organisational strategic planning and sustainable growth through budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling. Maintain strong cashflow visibility, monitor emerging risks and opportunities, and provide financial insights that support participant funding arrangements, company structures, service viability and organisational decision-making.
- Systems, Technology and Process Improvement: Strengthen financial systems and processes within Xero, HUB and associated platforms. Liaise with IT to refine and update HUB algorithms and system functionality where required. Identify opportunities to automate repetitive tasks, improve workflow efficiency, reduce manual handling and enhance financial accuracy and reporting capability. Support the effective integration of systems and technology to maximise operational effectiveness.
- Risk, Governance and Compliance: Maintain sound internal controls and governance frameworks that safeguard organisational resources and ensure financial integrity. Identify emerging compliance requirements and work proactively with the COO to implement relevant systems and processes in a timely manner. Ensure financial practices align with NDIS Practice Standards, participant safeguarding expectations and broader statutory obligations, including BAS, IAS, superannuation and audit readiness.
- Leadership, Capability Building and Organisational Support: Partner with the COO, and Operations team members to provide financial insight and practical support that strengthens service delivery and organisational performance. Develop training and practical resources for stakeholders, including company Directors and frontline teams, to build confidence and capability in financial and operational systems. Prepare content for information sheets, videos and learning resources, proactively support the roll-out of GD Institute online learning and respond to HUB Help enquiries relating to payroll and financial processes.
- Team Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain effective relationships with external accountants, auditors, suppliers and strategic partners while contributing positively to organisational culture and leadership. Participate in team leadership opportunities, including up to two three-day meetings or conferences held in locations outside Sydney, supporting collaboration, strategic alignment and organisational development.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Demonstrated experience in daily bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable processing, payroll and reconciliations
- Strong experience in end-to-end financial management within a small business or similar environment
- Proficiency with Xero and experience working with integrated business systems and multiple entities
- Strong Excel capability including formulas, pivot tables, financial modelling and operational analysis
- Demonstrated ability to identify automation opportunities and streamline financial workflows
- Experience preparing financial reports, budgets, audits and cashflow reporting
- Knowledge of payroll, SCHADS Award interpretation and multi-state employment obligations
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy in complex and fast-paced environments
- Ability to work independently while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality and strong stakeholder relationships
- Experience in or willingness to learn about the NDIS, regulatory frameworks and disability support services
- Demonstrated commitment to participant-centred services and empowering families
- CA or CPA qualification desirable but not essential
Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement with three days in the Hornsby office and two days working from home, together with participation in organisational meetings, leadership events and stakeholder engagement activities as required.
Why Join Good Directions?
- Purpose-driven organisation supporting people with complex disabilities
- Stable and supportive leadership team with strong governance
- Hybrid work flexibility across Hornsby and home-based work
- Opportunity to shape and strengthen the finance function during a period of growth
- Values-aligned culture built on service, integrity and participant wellbeing
Pay: $168,163.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee mentoring program
- Free food
- Maternity leave
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Travel reimbursement
- Work from home
Application Question(s):
- Covering letter: Outline your experience in financial operations, systems improvement and client-focused organisational support.
- Application Question: Tell us about a complex financial workflow you improved or automated in Xero or another integrated system. What changed as a result?
- Application Question: What financial and accounting education have you completed?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hornsby NSW 2077
