Ap & Ar Manager

Oversee AP & AR, ensuring smooth and accurate operations
- 17.5% annual leave loading| Excellent staff benefits
- Convenient Summer Hill |On-Site Parking | Close to public transport

**Location: Sydney (Summer Hill NSW 2130)**
Established in 2000, Montessori Academy is Australia's leading and largest Montessori childcare group with a portfolio of 50+ operational childcare centres. Regarded as a market leader in occupancy rates and achieving double digit top line growth, the company was acquired by a Hong Kong listed property and services group in 2019.

**About the role**:
**Key Responsibilities**
- Manage the end-to-end Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices, payments, billing, and collections
- Monitor and manage government funding claims and reporting, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and internal policies
- Maintain granular cost control by tracking expenditures, analysing variances, and supporting budget adherence across business units
- Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives to streamline financial workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and improve data accuracy
- Maintain a deep working knowledge of all direct reports' responsibilities to provide backup support as required and ensure business continuity
- Prepare and deliver regular reporting on AP/AR performance, cash flow, cost control, and funding compliance to senior management
- Ensure internal controls are upheld and processes are compliant with company standards and audit requirements
- Collaborate cross-functionally with finance, administration, and operational teams to resolve discrepancies and improve the overall efficiency of shared services
- Contribute to month-end and year-end closing processes related to accounts payable and receivable
- Mentor, support, and develop the AP/AR team, promoting accountability and professional growth
- Manage a team of 2 direct and 6 indirect reports, across AR, and AP

**Key Requirements**
- Solid experience in managing Accounts Payable and Receivable functions, ideally within an education, childcare, or government-funded environment
- Strong understanding of government funding processes and compliance requirements
- General understanding of accounting principles
- Demonstrated ability to manage costs effectively at a detailed level and contribute to financial planning.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to support, train, and develop a high-performing team.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills with a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach.
- High level of proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
- Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and deadline management.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to take a hands-on role and step in to support day-to-day processing as needed.
- Working rights in Australia

**Highly desirable or highly regarded**
- Childcare industry or multi-site / centre experience
- Working experience of MYOB Advanced (Acumatica) and ProSpend systems

Think you have what it takes to join the Montessori Academy team? We'd love to hear from you