Group Financial Controller

Reports To: Managing Director / Group CEO

Location: Dandenong South

Employment Type: Full-time (Option for role to be fractional for the right candidate)

We are a growing building group specialising in both the supply and installation of external cladding systems, rendering services and related building products. The group consists of 5 companies supporting homeowners, builders, architects and applicators with quality products, reliable service and practical, on-the-ground expertise.

We have experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by innovation, strong demand, repeat customers and an increasing reputation in the market and are now at the stage where we’re investing in our systems, people and processes to support the next phase of growth – and the Group Financial Controller will play a key role in helping us scale sustainably and profitably.

1. Role Purpose

The Group Financial Controller is a hands-on role responsible for both the strategic and day-to-day financial management of five related businesses.

This role combines:

• Daily, transactional financial operations (AP, AR, bank recs, payroll, cashflow)
• Month-end reporting, budgeting, and analysis
• Group-level controls, compliance, and business partnering

You’ll be the go-to finance person: owning the numbers, keeping the engine room running smoothly, and giving the leadership team clear visibility over performance and cash.

2. Key Responsibilities2.1 Day-to-Day Financial Management (Hands-On)

• Process and/or oversee accounts payable:
• Enter supplier invoices
• Match to POs / delivery dockets where relevant
• Prepare supplier payment runs
• Process and/or oversee accounts receivable:
• Create and send customer invoices
• Monitor debtor balances and follow up overdue accounts
• Work with the team to resolve disputes or queries
• Complete daily / weekly bank reconciliations for all entities.
• Maintain the general ledger, ensuring accurate coding by company, project/job, and cost centre.
• Coordinate and process payroll (or oversee payroll provider), including superannuation and PAYG.
• Maintain up-to-date records for inventory/stock movements (where applicable) and ensure correct costing.

2.2 Cashflow, Working Capital & Treasury

• Prepare and update weekly cashflow forecasts across all entities.
• Recommend timing of payments to manage cash prudently while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Monitor debtor days and implement practical steps to improve collections.
• Work with operations and sales on stock ordering and credit terms to optimise cash.

2.3 Financial Reporting & Consolidation

• Manage the month-end close for each company and the consolidated group, including journals, accruals, and reconciliations.
• Produce monthly management reports, including:
• P&L for each company and consolidated
• Balance sheet and cashflow
• Key metrics (margins, overheads, debtor days, etc.)
• Prepare commentary on variances to budget/forecast and highlight key risks/opportunities.
• Manage intercompany transactions and reconciliations.

2.4 Budgeting, Forecasting & Commercial Support

• Prepare annual budgets and rolling forecasts for each entity and the group.
• Work with managers to set realistic revenue and cost assumptions.
• Analyse job/project and product profitability and provide recommendations to improve margins.
• Support quoting, pricing, and major supplier/customer negotiations with financial insight and modelling.

2.5 Tax, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure timely and accurate lodgement of:
• BAS / GST / PAYG
• Payroll tax (if applicable)
• Superannuation payments
• Liaise with external accountants and tax advisors on year-end accounts and income tax.
• Managing R & D Tax incentive claims and processes.

2.6 Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and improve the accounting system(s) (e.g. Xero) and any integrated systems (job management, inventory, CRM).
• Identify and implement process improvements to:
• Reduce manual work
• Improve speed and accuracy of data
• Enhance reporting for decision-making
• Document standard operating procedures for key finance processes so they’re consistent across all businesses.

2.7 Team Leadership

• Supervise and develop any finance/admin staff working across the group.
• Delegate tasks appropriately while remaining willing to step in and do the work when required.
• Build a culture of accuracy, timeliness, and service to the rest of the business.

2.8 Compliance Documentation & Governance

• Oversee the management of compliance documentation across all entities, including (but not limited to) financial, regulatory, product, safety and contractual requirements.
• Ensure all required compliance documentation is:
• Identified and scheduled (e.g. licences, certifications, insurance, product compliance, safety documentation)
• Produced and/or updated within required timeframes
• Properly reviewed and authorised
• Captured, stored, and easily retrievable in the agreed systems or document repositories
• Work with operational and leadership teams to close any gaps in compliance documentation and improve documentation standards over time.

3. Key RelationshipsInternal

• Managing Director / Group CEO
• Group General Manager
• Sales and Business Development staff
• Site supervisors / project managers
• Administration and warehouse/logistics staff

External

• External accountants, tax advisors, and auditors
• R&D tax advisors/consultants
• Bankers and finance providers
• Insurance brokers
• Major suppliers and key customers (as required)
• Government agencies / regulators (as required)

4. Skills, Experience & AttributesEssential Experience

• Experience as a hands-on Financial Controller, Senior Accountant, or similar role in a growing business.
• Proven track record managing day-to-day finance operations plus month-end reporting.
• Experience with multiple entities and intercompany transactions.
• Background in construction, trades, building products, importing, or manufacturing is highly advantageous.
• Experience with R&D Tax Incentive processes and/or grant-style reporting is desirable.

Technical Skills

Strong working knowledge of:

• Accounts payable and receivable
• Payroll and statutory obligations
• Bank reconciliations and general ledger management
• Budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management
• Proficient with accounting software Xero and Excel.
• Comfortable setting up and improving basic reports and dashboards.

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on, no-ego operator who is happy to do everything from data entry to board-level reporting.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Commercially minded – sees beyond the numbers to what they mean for the business.
• Clear and confident communicator, able to translate financials into plain English.
• Proactive, solutions-focused, and able to work independently.
• High integrity and reliability, with a strong sense of ownership for the numbers.

5. Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• CA/CPA (completed or near completion) preferred but not essential if experience is strong.

If this sounds like you and you’d like to help shape the next stage of growth for a dynamic building products and application group – we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why this role appeals to you. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview