Financial Controller

Division: New Dawn Location: Sydney Deadline to apply: September 25, 2026,5:00 pm Schedule: Permanent, Full-Time Salary/Wage: $95,000 - $110,000 annually Start Date: October 15, 2026 Openings: 1

Job Description

The Financial Controller is responsible for protecting the accuracy, completeness, reliability, and timeliness of financial information across New Dawn’s diverse portfolio of operations. The Controller leads the day-to-day accounting function and ensures that financial records, reporting, controls, policies, and compliance practices support responsible stewardship and sound decision-making.

Working within New Dawn’s multi-entity environment, the Controller oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, compliance, audits, and cash administration. The role ensures financial processes are effective, reporting requirements are met, risks are managed, and decision-makers have access to reliable financial information.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

Accounting Operations & Team Leadership; Budget Coordination & Variance Reporting; Financial Policies, Procedures & Internal Controls; Compliance & Audit; Financing Documentation & Cash Administration; Financial Reporting & Key Deliverables

Duties and Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Team Leadership

• Directly manage the accounting and Finance department team and oversee the day-to-day accounting function across New Dawn’s entities, divisions, programs, properties, and business units
• Oversee bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, bank and balance-sheet reconciliations, intercompany transactions, and general ledger maintenance
• Establish clear work plans, close schedules, review processes, and service standards that ensure financial work is accurate, complete, and delivered on time
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, account analyses, supporting records, and adjustments, and ensure errors and outstanding items are resolved promptly
• Ensure accounting practices are applied consistently and that financial records provide a reliable foundation for organizational reporting and decision-making
• Set clear expectations for accuracy, timeliness, accountability, confidentiality, and reliable follow-through within the Finance department
• Provide ongoing supervision, coaching, feedback, and professional development to Finance staff, and address capacity or performance concerns as required
• Build team resilience through cross-training, documented procedures, appropriate segregation of duties, and the development of financial expertise

Budget Coordination & Variance Reporting

• Coordinate the annual budget process, including timelines, templates, agreed assumptions, departmental submissions, review, consolidation, and preparation of the organization-wide budget
• Monitor actual financial results against budget and provide regular, clear budget-to-actual and variance reports
• Investigate significant variances, explain their underlying causes, and work with managers to correct coding, address pressures, and improve financial performance
• Prepare cash-flow forecasts and financial projections using agreed assumptions and provide reliable financial data and analysis to support operational decisions
• Develop, document, administer, and regularly update detailed financial policies, accounting procedures, approval processes, close schedules, and documentation requirements
• Design, implement, and monitor internal controls that safeguard assets and reduce accounting, reporting, fraud, and compliance risks
• Ensure appropriate authorization, segregation of duties, supporting documentation, record retention, and review controls are consistently followed
• Oversee the effective use of accounting, payroll, and financial reporting systems and ensure system access, configurations, and workflows support accurate and efficient processing
• Develop tools, templates, and guidance that help managers understand budgets, expenses, coding, documentation standards, approvals, and financial procedures

Compliance & Audit

• Oversee tax filings, government remittances, regulatory reporting, accounting-standard requirements, and compliance with legal, contractual, funder, and organizational obligations
• Manage audit schedules, working papers, supporting documentation, confirmations, and day-to-day communication with external auditors and reviewers
• Coordinate annual audit and external review preparation, respond promptly to information requests, track outstanding items, and support timely completion
• Monitor compliance requirements and control effectiveness, identify deficiencies or emerging risks, and implement corrective action <