About the Role

As the Finance and Operations Accountant, you will play a hands on role in supporting the College’s core finance operations, ensuring accurate accounting, strong financial controls, and compliance with statutory requirements.

Reporting to the Senior Finance & Operations Manager, this mid-level role is well suited to an early‑to‑mid career accounting professional who enjoys owning the fundamentals (accounting, payroll, tax, audit) while progressively building skills in reporting, analysis, and dashboard development.

The role combines traditional accounting responsibilities with exposure to management reporting, analytics, and operational insights, providing a strong platform for career development.

Key Responsibilities

Core Accounting, Payroll & Compliance (Primary Focus)

· Manage accurate and timely month‑end and year‑end close, including journals, accruals, prepayments, and balance sheet reconciliations.

· Preparation and management of statutory financial reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cashflow).

· Contribute to the preparation of annual budgets and periodic re‑forecasts.

· Contribute to the audit process, including preparation of working papers and responses to auditor queries.

· Contribute to statutory obligation requirements including preparation of BAS, payroll tax, FBT, and other compliance reporting.

· Supervise payroll process, including reconciliations, exception reviews, and coordination with payroll providers.

· Maintain the fixed asset register, including additions, disposals, and depreciation.

Finance Operations & Team Coordination

· Review and quality check outputs from an offshore transactional finance support team (AP, AR, reconciliations).

· Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, staff reimbursements, and corporate cards.

· Maintain finance SOPs, cut off calendars, and process documentation.

Reporting, Dashboards & Analysis (Development Focus)

· Assist in the preparation and enhancement of management reporting packs for senior leadership.

· Perform variance analysis (budget vs actual) and help identify key drivers and trends.

· Support development and maintenance of dashboards and reports, including Power BI, Excel based models, and reporting tools.

· Work alongside the Senior Finance & Operations Manager on ad‑hoc analysis, business cases, and operational insights.

· Gradually take ownership of defined reporting and analysis areas as capability develops.

About You

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.

· Progress toward CPA or CA (or intent to commence).

Experience

Essential

· 3+ years’ professional accounting experience, preferably within the education sector

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Power BI and experience using XERO and ADP

· Thorough knowledge of accounting procedures and principles in both AASB/IFRS

· Working knowledge of Copilot/M365, payroll systems, and cloud accounting

Desirable

· Experience or exposure to management accounting, analysis, or reporting.

· Exposure to Power BI or data visualisation tools (not necessarily advanced).

· Background in professional services or audit, with interest in moving into industry.

Skills & Attributes

· Strong commercial and business acumen

· High level of accuracy and attention to detail

· Ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing deadlines

· Excellent organisational, analytical, and critical thinking skills

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· Aptitude for numbers and quantitative skills

About ACPE:

Founded in 1917, the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) is one of Australia’s leading independent tertiary institutions, known for excellence in sport, health, science, dance, sports business, and teacher education.