_{20th February, 2026}

About the organisation:
Our client is a well-established and values-driven independent School based in the heart of the CBD committed to delivering excellence in education. With a collaborative leadership team and a clear strategic vision, the organisation fosters a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement across all areas of its operations.

About the role:
The Senior Financial Accountant plays a pivotal role in the school’s financial strength and future growth, providing sharp commercial insight and high-impact reporting that shapes strategic decisions and ensures long-term sustainability. This role partners closely with the Head of Finance and broader Finance team, this role drives performance, strengthens controls, enhances systems and processes, and embeds best-practice governance across the organisations operations, making a meaningful and lasting organisational impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll functions, ensuring strong financial controls and accurate reporting
• Conduct detailed fortnightly payroll reviews, ensuring compliance with relevant Awards and Multi-Enterprise Agreements
• Manage cash flow, general ledger integrity and month-end reporting processes
• Prepare monthly financial reports including profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow statements with variance analysis
• Support budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning aligned to the organisations strategic plan
• Coordinate regulatory reporting requirements including BAS, Annual Financial Questionnaire and Workplace Gender Equality reporting
• Lead process improvement initiatives, automation and optimisation of financial systems
• Support audit preparation and implementation of audit recommendations
• Ensure compliance with not-for-profit, statutory and NSW non-government school financial regulations
• Provide financial insight, analysis and briefing papers to the Principal and Board
• Support philanthropic, fundraising and grant financial management activities
• Provide leadership and guidance to finance team members and key stakeholders

Skills and Experience:

• Tertiary qualification in Accounting with CPA or CA accreditation
• Strong experience across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll functions
• Proven experience in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and KPI analysis
• Experience operating within a complex environment, ideally within education or not-for-profit sectors
• Sound knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements
• High-level analytical capability with meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Strong systems capability, including financial systems, MS Office and Google Workspace
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism and commitment to confidentiality

Benefits:

• Opportunity to play a key strategic role within a respected independent school
• Collaborative and values-driven leadership environment
• Varied and impactful role with exposure to executive and Board-level reporting
• Supportive and professional workplace culture
• Discounted student fees
• Take advantage of discounted parking

Apply now:
If you’re interested in this role, please send your resume to grace@tidalrecruitmentpartners.com.au
  

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