Senior Manager, Financial & Statutory Reporting in Sydney

About UNSW
At UNSW, we take pride in the broad range and high quality of our teaching programs. Our teaching gains strength and currency from our research activities, strong industry links and our international nature.

Why Your Role Matters
The Financial Control & Compliance function is accountable for the University-wide financial control environment and associated compliance policies and processes, including statutory financial reporting and external audit, controlled entity accounting and reporting, technical accounting advisory, infrastructure and asset accounting, and tax management and advisory.
The Senior Manager, Financial & Statutory Reporting is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of financial records, statements and external statutory and financial reporting in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and UNSW policies, procedures and processes.
Working closely with senior finance leaders, corporate functions and key stakeholders across the University, you will provide strategic leadership across financial reporting activities to deliver high-quality, compliant and consistent reporting outcomes. The role reports to the Director, Financial Control & Compliance and has 3 direct reports.

Responsibilities Summary

• Lead timely, accurate and compliant statutory financial reporting, including month-end close, annual statutory close, consolidated financial statements and internal and external audits.
• Maintain Balance Sheet integrity and ensure UNSW consolidated financial statements meet statutory and management reporting obligations under Australian Accounting Standards, NSW Treasury and Department of Education requirements.
• Provide expert technical accounting advice, supported by strong governance, robust documentation and high-quality accounting position papers.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with key external stakeholders, including the NSW Audit Office, NSW Treasury and related working groups.
• Oversee financial reporting materials for the UNSW Annual Report, Council Report and other external regulatory submissions.
• Lead the development, implementation and continuous review of financial accounting policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Strengthen the University’s financial control environment through proactive risk identification, robust controls and continuous improvement, including process optimisation, automation and data quality enhancements.
• Lead, develop and empower a high-performing Financial and Statutory Reporting team, building capability and fostering continuous improvement and proactive risk management.

Skills and Experience Summary

• Tertiary qualifications in accounting, finance or a related discipline, with in-depth technical working knowledge of Australian Accounting Standards (AASB), NSW Treasury policies and statutory reporting requirements.
• Accredited membership with a professional accounting body in Australia (CPA Australia or CA ANZ).
• Demonstrated experience of more than 10 years in consolidated statutory external reporting and compliance, financial accounting operations and audit management within a large, complex or highly regulated environment.
• Proven leadership capability, with a demonstrated track record of developing high-performing finance teams.
• Highly advanced communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with a collaborative working style and strong service-oriented mindset.
• High level experience in financial accounting and reporting risk identification and implementation of fit-for-purpose financial governance, processes and controls.
• Proven skills in driving continuous improvement in an accounting function.

Benefits and Culture
People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.