Group Finance Manager - #35369

Overview

A growing Australian food and B2B distribution group is seeking a Finance Lead to manage finance operations across two businesses. The role will lead the finance team based in the Philippines, strengthen financial operations, and drive process improvements as the organization scales.

Key priorities include building a fast and reliable month-end close and consolidation process, improving Xero and inventory-system workflows, strengthening controls, and maintaining accurate rolling cash flow forecasts.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day finance function across two businesses
• Lead and develop a Philippines-based finance team of three
• Drive group month-end close and consolidation
• Provide management flash reporting by Day 3
• Manage Xero workflows, reconciliations, and finance-system integrity
• Oversee inventory, stock, and COGS reconciliation
• Manage AP, AR, payment runs, collections, and payroll oversight (including hands-on processing where required)
• Strengthen finance controls, including approval workflows, segregation of duties, journals, and write-offs
• Ensure accurate supporting records for Australian BAS, PAYG, superannuation, and external advisers
• Produce consolidated group management reporting, including Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and EBITDA reports, and explain drivers of profitability
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow reporting
• Manage intercompany accounting and elimination
• Identify finance errors and control weaknesses before they become larger issues
• Support the CEO with reliable financial information and analysis
• Continuously improve finance processes, systems, and automation to scale without simply adding headcount
• Maintain accurate rolling cash flow forecasts to identify potential cash flow gaps and support planning, particularly for asset investments and capital expenditure
• Prepare and review inventory reports, including stock-on-hand, stock adjustments, payables, and receivables
• Prepare and review financial reports and cash flow forecasts required by the bank (the Director/Owner retains responsibility for banking relationships)
• Oversee payroll processing across both businesses, including periodic compliance audits
• Liaise directly with the external accounting firm on finance and accounting matters

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of progressive accounting experience
• Minimum 3 years in a financial management/leadership role (team management experience required)
• Personally owned or led month-end close
• Supported and experienced with Australian businesses in a finance role
• Prepared Australian finance information relating to BAS, PAYG and superannuation
• Worked across AP, AR, payroll, reconciliations, and management reporting
• Experience managing multiple Xero files and handling internal transactions between them is required
• Improved finance controls, processes, or systems
• Personally investigated finance errors or unusual balances
• Worked successfully in a hands-on finance leadership role
• Communicated finance issues clearly with senior management
• Experience with inventory, stock and COGS is a strict requirement
• Previous food industry experience is a strict requirement
  • Experience in FMCG, distribution, wholesale, logistics, or supply chain is also highly regarded
• Hands-on Xero experience is required, particularly managing multiple Xero files

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal multi-entity business experience is preferred but not mandatory
• Cin7 Core experience is not essential (transferable inventory or ERP experience is acceptable; training can be provided)
• CPA Philippines or an equivalent accounting qualification is highly regarded but is not the main selection criterion

Compensation & Benefits

• Job type: Permanent
• Employment type: Direct hire; Full-time

Location & Schedule

• Remote / Work from home
• Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sydney Time (6:00 AM – 3:00 PM PH Time)