About Us
Communities at Work is Canberra's leading not-for-profit provider of early education and care. We invest in local community services. We’ve won the ACT Training Awards "Large Employer of the Year" five times in a row.
About the Role
Reporting to the Senior Manager Finance, you will work with a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement to oversee budgeting, costing, acquittals and financial analysis for a suite of nominated programs. Your role will be instrumental in the coordination of quality accounting and financial governance advice as well as providing support to the Senior Manager Finance in the management of the organisations accounting functions and financial reporting. You will effectively manage the service delivery of financial operations functions in accordance with policies and legislative requirements, providing tactical procedures, key business reports and business intelligence to achieve strategic outcomes for the organisation.
Your duties will include but are not limited to:
Finance and Technical
- Accurate and timely maintenance of the general ledger, including coordinating the month-end process and ensuring all balance sheet reconciliations are completed and correct.
- Ultimately responsible for the schedule and workpaper maintenance for accruals, prepayments, lease liability, standing journals, fixed asset, and salary related accounts.
- Responsible for asset management and the maintenance of associated project codes, right of use schedules and lease contracts.
- Maintenance of grant schedules and associated documentation, workbooks, allocations, reconciliations, and acquittals.
- Ensure compliance with Accounting Standards, including AASB16, AASB15, AASB1058 and others,
- Preparation of annual FBT returns and monthly BAS.
- Providing in-house technical accounting advice to management where required, including costing and tendering assistance.
- Co-ordinate the annual audit process for the broader organisation on a fiscal year basis and the special assistance school on a calendar year basis.
Reporting and Policies
- With assistance from the Senior Finance Manager, oversee all reporting requirements including business planning, annual budget process, monthly forecasting.
- Review all the monthly financial reports for correctness prior to their distribution to Program Managers and Directors.
- Summarise monthly results and budget variances to the Senior Finance Manager and Chief Operating Financial Officer monthly.
- Ensure that Finance processes, internal controls and accounting policies are robust, documented and complied with in full.
- Maintaining Finance forms, policies and procedures for completeness and accuracy, ensuring timely updates for changes in regulations, legislation and process.
Management
- Oversee all accounting operations and staff associated with Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Assistant Accountants.
- Provide support and mentoring to existing team members.
What We Need from You
- Obtain or maintain current Working With Vulnerable People registration.
- Tertiary Accounting qualifications.
- Demonstrated experience with the preparation of month end accounts.
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles and relevant standards.
- Ability to operate with limited supervision, to exercise sound judgment, demonstrate initiative, implement change and be responsive to changing work requirements.
- Intermediate to advanced computer software skills (Excel, Word, SharePoint etc), including familiarity with accounting software programs (Mondano and Power BI preferable).
- Excellent attention to detail, high level of problem-solving and analytical skills, strong organisational skills, and ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group, executives, managers and subject matter experts - including the ability to effectively communicate accounting concepts to non-finance staff.
Desirable
- Current drivers licence
- Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) status
- Experience managing staff
- Experience in the Not-For-Profit Sector
Benefits for You
- Make a difference and change lives in the Canberra community as part of Canberra's largest community organisation.
- Join an inclusive and friendly workplace, where people are at the heart of everything.
- Enjoy healthy living with our active lifestyle & healthy activity programs and reimbursements (including remedial massages, annual flu vaccination and more). Receive guidance and support for mental health through our Employee Assistance Program.
- Accrue paid leave - 14.5 days sick leave and 20.5 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part time).
How to Apply
Click APPLY and ensure to include a cover letter alongside your resume or contact the HR Services and Recruitment team on 6293 6200 for a confidential discussion.
Applications close on Wednesday 2 September 2026
We reserve the right to close the job early once the position has been filled.
Communities at Work encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people, mature-aged workers, people with disabilities and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles.
