Finance Manager

We are supporting a highly regarded architecture and design practice in Sydney in the appointment of an experienced Finance Manager to join their senior team. This is a broad, hands-on role with responsibility for the financial management and reporting across multiple group entities.

Working closely with the Managing Director, Principal and Team Leaders, the Finance Manager will provide accurate financial reporting and commercial insight while overseeing the day-to-day finance function.

• Manage the accounting and financial reporting across four group entities, including inter-entity loan arrangements.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare month-end reporting and monthly financial summaries for the Managing Director, Principal and leadership team.
• Analyse financial performance and provide meaningful commercial insights to support business decision-making.
• Partner with Team Leaders on project budgets, forecasting, invoicing and overall financial performance.
• Prepare project-specific financial reporting and ensure appropriate financial controls are maintained across the practice.
• Oversee the full invoicing and accounts receivable process, including debt collection and reconciliation.
• Manage accounts payable, supplier payments, contractor payments and staff expense claims.
• Oversee payroll processing, leave management, BAS/GST, payroll tax and other relevant obligations.
• Manage the practice management system and ensure accurate maintenance of project information, timesheets, milestones and invoicing records.
• Provide guidance and training to staff on finance and practice management systems.
• Liaise with external accountants, banks, financial institutions and other professional advisers.
• Support the Managing Director with insurance matters, consultancy agreements, fee proposals and contract reviews or negotiations.
• Present financial summaries at leadership meetings and provide ongoing commercial and financial advice to the management team.
• Manage and provide direction to the part-time bookkeeper.
• Support broader corporate administration, compliance and commercial matters as required.

Skills & Experience

• Tertiary qualification in Commerce, Accounting or a related discipline, recognised in Australia.
• CA or CPA qualification with current professional accreditation.
• Minimum 8 years' accounting experience, ideally within a mid-sized professional services practice or project-based business.
• Strong hands-on accounting experience across financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, payroll, accounts payable and receivable.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to interpret financial information and provide practical advice to senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with project budgets, fee forecasting and project-based financial reporting would be highly regarded.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with a practice or project management system is required, with Total Synergy experience highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve complex financial matters.
• Confident communicator who can work effectively with senior management, Team Leaders, staff and external advisers.
• Highly organised and comfortable managing competing priorities and deadlines within a fast-paced professional environment.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when managing confidential and commercially sensitive information.
• Comfortable working autonomously while contributing as an active member of the broader management team.