Business Manager Position

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Good Shepherd Christian School Limited is a private school, and you will be responsible for the financial management of all school activities and the accessing of available commonwealth and commercial financing to facilitate the strategic objectives of the school.

Primary Responsibilities

• To ensure that the financial systems are adequate and operational to record and report on the financial performance of the school.
• To manage the daily financial and processing functions, cash flow management, and tax compliance matters.
• To process the fortnightly payroll for the school and ensure that all payroll liabilities and obligations are correctly recorded and discharged.
• Providing monthly financial reports to the board on the performance of the school and commenting on the variances to budgets.
• Formulating and developing all business operating budgets, grant funding estimates, and capital expenditure submissions.
• To assist the Principal and team in developing business opportunities and strategies to ensure the school achieves its strategic growth targets, goals, and objectives.
• To coordinate and assist the Principal in the development of the school budget and forecasting processes and presenting it to the board.
• Ensuring that the grant funding available to the school is correctly received and used in the operation of the school activities.
• To enforce strict adherence to Company Policies and Procedures.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position reports to the Principal of the school.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

To ensure the integrity of all financial data within the school, including but not limited to :

1. Financial processing and recording

• To ensure all accounting and administration functions are performed in a timely and accurate manner, with a hands-on focus sometimes required.
• Customer billings, supplier invoices, BAS and GST Lodgements and payments.
• Systems administration and improvements.
• To monitor and manage all aspects of credit management and debt control associated with the school.
• Provision of monthly management accounts to the Principal and Board, highlighting variances and corrective actions required.
• Develop and report on critical KPI's in conjunction with the Principal, such as Student to teacher ratio (primary and secondary), Total income per student, EBITDA, Recurrent expenditure per student, Teacher salaries as a % of recurrent expenditure, Debt per student, DSCR (Target 1.5), Annual Principal repayment, % change in student numbers.
• Preparing annual Financial statements in line with accounting standards.
• Lodging various reports with the school governing bodies (ISQ, NSSAB).
• Liaising with the auditors on the annual audit of the school.

3. Cash flow Management

• Ensure that cash flows are monitored monthly and that the school is meeting all liquidity criteria required for a healthy business.
• No cash to be borrowed for recurrent expenditure.
• Investigate negative cash flows and advise corrective actions to the Principal.
• Keep cash balances and approved borrowings within specified limits.
• Maintain a minimum of 1.5 months' worth of recurrent expenditure as cash balance.

4. Payroll administration

• Ensuring pay rates are correctly recorded in the system and are in alignment with staff contracts.
• Process the fortnightly payroll.
• Ensure the school is compliant with all PAYG and superannuation obligations.
• Ensure staff provisions are correctly recorded in the system.
• Ensure staff are provided with their annual tax statement each year.

5. Budgets and forecasting

• Assist with the development of business plans, forecasts, and strategic plans for the business units.
• Conduct regular reviews of performance against budgets.

6. Capital expenditure and projects

• Assist the principal in submitting capital expenditure proposals in line with policies.
• Manage the spending of major capital expenditure projects in line with approvals.
• Liaise with banks for funding of projects where appropriate.

7. Government grants management and compliance

• Ensure correct enrolment numbers are recorded at required intervals.
• Ensure all received grants are used in line with ISQ / BGA guidelines and proper acquittals are made.
• Investigate eligibility for other grants in line with school development.

8. Compliance with School policies and procedures

• Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOURS

• Understanding of priorities and business position.
• Integrity in reporting.
• Lead by example and model expected behaviors.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Safeguard the well-being of staff and students.
• Achieve goals and objectives, keeping expenses within the corporate plan.
• Utilize team skills and experience effectively.
• Provide effective communication, cooperation, and business performance.
• Provide clear future strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Accounting / Business qualifications (Degree / CPA).
• At least 3 years experience in a similar role within a school environment.
• Excellent knowledge of accounting principles, credit management.
• Strong analytical and leadership skills.
• Experience with XERO software is highly desirable.
• Strong administration and business planning skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and communicate at all levels.
• Willingness to take a hands-on approach.

Applications including a resume and cover letter addressing the criteria should be sent via email to:

Deadline: before close of business on Monday 18th August 2025.