Position Summary
The Financial Controller is a remote, hands-on senior finance role responsible for leading the day-to-day financial operations of Alpine Children’s Services. This role bridges operational finance, compliance, reporting, and strategic support, ensuring the organisation has accurate, timely, and meaningful financial information to guide decision-making.
Reporting to the CEO and Board, the Financial Controller will oversee financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, compliance, payroll oversight, audit preparation, and finance systems improvement. The role will work closely with the leadership team and operational managers to support sustainable service delivery across multiple early childhood education sites.
Position Details
Position Title: Financial Controller Reports To: CEO
Employment Type: Part-Time Permanent Location: North East Victoria / Hybrid /Fully Remote Sector: Community not-for-profit, early childhood education and care Salary Range: $120-150k plus super, commensurate with experience
Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Control
- Process invoices and accounts payable in a timely manner
- Manage month-end and year-end close processes to ensure timely, accurate, and reliable reporting.
- Prepare monthly Board reports, including the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and supporting schedules.
- Maintain the integrity of the general ledger, including reconciliations, journals, and accurate transaction coding.
- Prepare financial reports, variance analysis, and commentary for the CEO, leadership team, and Board.
- Develop and maintain financial models and reporting tools to support operational and strategic decision-making.
- Ensure strong financial controls are in place across the organisation.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
- Lead the budgeting and forecasting process in collaboration with the CEO and leadership team. Maintain rolling forecasts and provide regular updates on financial performance against budget.
- Prepare cash flow forecasts to support liquidity planning and organisational sustainability.
- Provide financial analysis and insights to support service planning, funding decisions, and operational performance.
- Partner with managers to help them understand financial results, budgets, and cost drivers.
Compliance, Payroll & Audit
- Oversee statutory and regulatory compliance, including BAS, superannuation, and other relevant obligations.
- Ensure compliance with Australian Accounting Standards, ATO requirements, and relevant not-for-profit reporting obligations.
- Support payroll oversight, including reconciliation, reporting, and compliance with employment-related obligations.
- Liaise with external accountants, auditors, and other professional advisers.
- Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation for annual financial statements and external audit processes.
- Maintain awareness of regulatory and funding changes relevant to early childhood education, community services, and not-for-profit operations.
Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement
- Review and improve finance systems, workflows, and internal controls to increase efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
- Identify opportunities to streamline reporting, reduce manual processes, and strengthen financial governance.
- Maintain and improve accounting software, reporting tools, and related finance processes.
- Support the implementation of technology and automation initiatives where appropriate.
- Contribute to organisational risk management and good governance practices.
Team Leadership & Stakeholder Support
- Supervise and support finance team members
- Set clear expectations, timelines, and standards for finance processes and reporting deadlines.
- Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders, including centre managers, the Board, and the executive team.
- Translate financial information into clear, practical insights for non-finance stakeholders.
- Contribute positively to a collaborative, values-based, and community-focused workplace culture.
Key Requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a related discipline.
- CPA or CA qualification, or working towards completion, highly regarded.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ relevant accounting or finance experience.
- Experience in a Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Senior Accountant or similar role.
- Demonstrated experience managing month-end reporting, reconciliations, budgets, and cash flow forecasting.
- Experience in a not-for-profit, education, childcare, community services, or multi-site operating environment will be highly regarded.
- Strong understanding of Australian compliance requirements, including BAS, payroll, superannuation, and financial reporting obligations.
- Experience working with external accountants, auditors, and Board reporting processes.
Skills & Attributes
- Strong technical accounting skills and attention to detail.
- Practical, hands-on approach with the ability to operate at both strategic and transactional levels.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage deadlines across competing priorities.
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
- Strong Excel skills and confidence using accounting systems and financial reporting tools.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, sound governance and community-focused service delivery.
- Alignment with the values and purpose of a community not-for-profit organisation.
About Alpine Children’s Services
Alpine Children’s Services is a community not-for-profit provider of early childhood education and care services across North East Victoria. We are committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable early childhood services that support children, families, educators, and communities to thrive.
As a values-driven organisation, we place children and families at the centre of everything we do. Our finance function plays a critical role in supporting strong governance, operational sustainability, and informed decision-making across the organisation.
Why join Alpine Children’s Services?
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a respected community and sector-leading organisation supporting children and families across North East Victoria.
You will join a purpose-led organisation where your financial leadership will directly support high-quality early childhood education services, long-term sustainability and positive community outcomes.
What we offer
- A values-driven, community-focused workplace.
- A senior finance role with genuine influence and impact.
- The opportunity to support services that make a difference for children, families, and educators.
- A collaborative and supportive leadership team.
- Variety across operational finance, governance, reporting and strategic planning.
- Flexible work arrangements, including fully remote or school hours
- The opportunity to strengthen systems, processes, and financial sustainability in a growing not-for-profit environment.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.
Alpine Children’s Services is committed to child safety, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Appointment to this role will be subject to satisfactory reference checks and relevant pre-employment screening requirements.
