Manager Finance

Occupation: Accounting, finance and procurement

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/VRQA/1888442

The Chief Financial Officer leads the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority’s finance and risk functions, ensuring compliance with the Standing Directions of the Minister for Finance under the Financial Management Act 1994. This role provides expert advice to the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and executive leadership team, develops and manages the organisation’s budget, and ensures financial operations remain within approved limits.

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About the Division

The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) is an independent statutory body established under section 4.2.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (the Act). The VRQA is responsible for the regulation of schools, school boarding premises, providers of senior secondary and foundation secondary education, school sector providers that deliver courses to international students, home schooling, registered training organisations that deliver in Victoria or Victoria and Western Australia only, apprenticeships and traineeships and awarding bodies. The VRQA also accredits courses and recognises group training organisations.

About the Role

The Manager Finance (Chief Financial Officer (CFO)) will lead the VRQA's finance and risk function, ensuring the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority's (VRQA) compliance with the Standing Directions of the Minister for Finance under the Financial Management Act 1994, including responsibility for the oversight, delivery and reporting of the compliance obligations required of a statutory authority. The CFO is responsible for providing expert advice to the VRQA Board and CEO and executive leadership team including development of the VRQA's budget and ensuring the VRQA operates within budget by working closely with the CEO, executive leadership team and others across the organisation.

The CFO is responsible for supporting the VRQA's Audit and Risk Management Committee including preparation of papers and end of year financial reporting.

The CFO ensures the effective delivery of financial services and reporting including review and authorisation of external financial and risk reports, internal and external audits and overseeing the VRQA's risk management framework.

Importantly, the CFO ensures the VRQA's financial policies, procedures and activities comply with accounting standards and legislative requirements, including the Standing Directions.

The CFO will have significant expertise in financial management, including the ability to maintain good financial management systems and processes; and interpret, analyse and present financial and related information to facilitate understanding of options to resolve complex problems and take available opportunities. The CFO should possess or have the ability to obtain a good understanding of the specific applicable enabling legislation of the VRQA and will have an excellent understanding of the Financial Management Act 1994, the Audit Act 1994, the Ministerial Directions, and the ability to develop excellent understanding of the VRQA's governance and internal control frameworks.

The CFO will support the CEO and work closely with the ELT and other teams across the VRQA to ensure appropriate budgeting and use of public funds.

The CFO also provides advice to the Schools and VET teams on financial viability of duty holders to enable decisions about ongoing financial viability of existing and new school applicants and training providers.

The CFO manages a small team responsible for day-to-day financial management including invoicing, supplier management, payment of suppliers, pay roll validation and for developing budget bids, briefings and financial reports as required. The CFO will also be responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with staff in the Financial Services Division of the Department of Education.

Attributes

This role will demonstrate values-based leadership, high level technical expertise, a contemporary approach to risk management, exemplary verbal and written communication skills, and highly attuned problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, you must possess an understanding of the requirements for financial compliance and assurance within a statutory authority. Experience working with a Board or audit and risk committee is desirable.

Mandatory Qualifications and Experience

- A tertiary qualification in finance or accounting.
- Membership with CPA, CAA&NZ, NIA or equivalent.
- Experience leading high performing finance function in a large complex organisation.
- Capacity to make evidence-informed decisions.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of finance policies, procedures, and practices relevant to the organisation's context.
- Proven ability to effectively engage and provide authoritative advice to internal and external stakeholders at senior levels.
- Ability to interpret and convey specialist finance concepts and policies to diverse stakeholders.

How to Apply

Applications should include:

- a resume (no more than 2-pages); and
- a cover letter that responds to each of the Key Selection Criteria (no more than 2-pages).

Further Information

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Karissa Robinson – Manager, Governance and Corporate Services via (03) 9059-4547 or karissa.robinson@education.vic.gov.au.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on 22 October 2025

#J-18808-Ljbffr