Finance Manager

• Full-time (0.8FTE Negotiable)
• Sydney-based with hybrid work model

About Mary MacKillop Today

Mary MacKillop Today walks alongside people and communities at the margins, in Australia and Internationally, in the spirit of Saint Mary MacKillop. We create opportunities for self-determination through learning for life so that all might flourish.

Just as Mary MacKillop did over a century ago, Mary MacKillop Today helps those wherever they are, regardless of their faith, ethnicity, or gender by supporting development projects both within Australia and overseas. Mary MacKillop Today directly implements programs through our office in Timor-Leste, as well as through partnerships in Australia, Peru and Fiji.

We know that providing education, in all its forms, is one of the most effective ways to create sustainable outcomes and generational change in developing communities and we depend on support from the Australian public to carry out this vital work.

Mary MacKillop Today is a ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. We work in the spirit of Saint Mary MacKillop and Rev Julian Tenison Woods, inspired by their faith, legacy and grounded practical work.

Mary MacKillop Today is a signatory of the Australian Council for International Development’s code of conduct and is accredited with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Consequently, we have a high degree of accountability and transparency. Mary MacKillop Today is committed to protecting the rights of children and vulnerable adults everywhere we work.

About the Role

Reporting to the Operations Director, the Finance Manager will collaborate closely with the Board, CEO, Operations Director and the Leadership Team to set and deliver MMT’s financial and strategic objectives. The Finance Manager will prepare financial information, provide analysis and reports to inform decision-making to achieve organisational growth and sustainability. This role will equip MMT for the emerging more complex demands of our financial operations by building a suite of user-friendly financial tools for each operational team to accompany the annual budget, reporting, review cycle.

This role will control and manage the organisation’s Finance Operations including providing finance leadership and program support in finance to our office in Dili, Timor-Leste.

The Finance Manager’s responsibilities include:

• Advising on short and long-term business and financial planning
• The management of financial budgets and forecasts, cash flow and investment planning, financial modelling and business case development and review
• Providing regular financial reports to the CEO, Leadership Team, Board and regulators

The Finance Manager is a key member of the Operations Team and has one direct report, the Project Finance Officer.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Provide strategic financial guidance to the CEO and management team.
• Drive financial planning and analysis to ensure accurate forecasting and budgeting to support informed decision making. This includes modelling different scenarios depending on fundraising and programming objectives.
• Develop new or improved templates, reports and processes that provide valuable insights, increase efficiency and build capacity.
• Coordinate closely with the Programs and Operations staff to validate and consolidate forward financial performance forecasts and financial reporting metrics through completion of current projects as well as new opportunities.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to Fundraising and Programs staff to ensure targeted fundraising for appropriate programs (including analysis of tied funding).
• Provide guidance on appropriate organisational income and expenditure ratios in line with best practice international development, and strategic advice on achieving these ratios.

Finance Management

• Implement and monitor the organisation’s financial systems, procedures, and internal controls to support the efficient and effective operation of the Finance function.
• Oversee delivery of day-to-day financial operations within the organisation including payroll, invoicing, accounts payable and other transactions in accordance with financial policies, procedures, instructions and relevant legislation.
• Maintain the integrity of data in the accounting systems, ensure financial risk management guidelines are adhered to and assist to mitigate.
• Preparation and lodgement of Business Activity Statements, PAYG Withholding and superannuation as per ATO requirements.
• Prepare financial statements, including profit and loss, monthly and quarterly balance sheet reconciliations/bank reconciliations, balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements and Board and Audit, Finance and Risk Committee reporting.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and cost-benefit analyses to optimise financial resources and ensure cost-efficient operations.

Risk, Audit and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure an appropriate internal control framework supported by relevant financial and risk management policies including organisational compliance and monitoring
• Manage the relationship with external auditors; preparation and management of supporting documentation to ensure that MMT meets all requirements for annual financial statements.
• Fulfil all regulatory reporting requirements and lodgements including ATO, ACNC, ASIC and DFAT.

International Partners

• Work with international Programs team to ensure international acquittals comply with internal policies and procedures
• Foreign currency management including budgeting, transactions and accounting
• Support the financial operations and capacity building of the Timor-Leste office

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field. CPA or equivalent
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project and business financial planning/management
• Ability to analyse large data sets of financial or other numerical data and prepare reports
• Ability to develop project financial models
• In-depth understanding of financial risk assessment and monitoring
• Proven ability to convey financial concepts to non-financial managers (training, coaching, tool development)
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft, MYOB / accounting systems and CRM
• High level accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines.

General Information

This position is a permanent, full -time role based in North Sydney, and reports to the Operations Director of Mary MacKillop Today. We have flexible work options including a hybrid working arrangement, and a nine-day fortnight can be considered. The working environment is informal but professional, with very high standards of output and delivery. We are a happy, enthusiastic and energy-filled group, with a positive, values-driven culture.