About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on Finance Manager - Financial Controller to lead the finance function of a growing, founder-led FMCG wholesale and distribution business.

This role offers end-to-end ownership of finance operations, financial reporting, working capital management, budgeting, cash-flow forecasting and financial controls. The ideal candidate will combine strong accounting fundamentals with commercial acumen and a process-improvement mindset.

The position is suited to a finance professional who enjoys working in a lean, entrepreneurial environment, can operate independently, and is comfortable balancing day-to-day accounting responsibilities with financial planning and business partnering.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Accounting & Reporting:

- Own month-end and year-end closing, general ledger, journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.

- Ensure accurate and timely financial statements and management reports.

- Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, customer account setup and credit checks.

- Manage supplier payments, collections and reconciliation of customer and supplier accounts.

- Maintain robust financial controls, accounting processes and documentation.

2. Cash Flow & Working Capital Management:

- Prepare and maintain weekly cash-flow forecasts.

- Monitor cash positions, receivables, payables and working capital requirements.

- Manage borrowing facilities, monitor financial covenants and support banking relationships.

- Identify opportunities to improve cash conversion, liquidity and financial efficiency.

3. Commercial & Operational Finance:

- Lead budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and cost allocation.

- Oversee inventory accounting, fixed assets, depreciation and landed-cost accounting.

- Reconcile customer rebates, promotional claims, retailer deductions and remittances.

- Support foreign exchange management and basic hedging activities, where applicable.

- Coordinate insurance claims and other finance-related operational matters.

4. Payroll, Tax & Compliance:

- Oversee payroll processing and related accounting.

- Ensure compliance with applicable tax, statutory reporting and financial regulations.

- Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, tax advisers and other professional stakeholders.

- Experience with Australian tax, payroll and statutory compliance will be advantageous but is not essential.

5. Systems, Automation & Process Improvement:

- Manage and improve finance processes, internal controls and reporting workflows.

- Support ERP implementation, migration or optimisation, including data cleansing, mapping, testing and reconciliations.

- Leverage technology, automation and advanced Excel to improve accuracy and efficiency.

- Experience with Odoo is highly desirable; familiarity with SAP, Xero or other ERP/accounting systems is also valuable.

- Exposure to Power BI or other reporting and analytics tools would be an advantage.

6. Team & Stakeholder Management:

- Lead and support a lean finance team while remaining hands-on with accounting operations.

- Work closely with senior management on financial performance, cash flow and business decisions.

- Communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, banks, auditors and external advisers.

- Take ownership of financial issues, independently verify information and constructively challenge discrepancies when required.

Candidate Profile: Essential experience and capabilities:

- Approximately 6 - 10 years of relevant finance and accounting experience.

- Strong knowledge of accounting, financial reporting, month-end closing and financial controls.

- Experience managing operational finance activities, including AP, AR, reconciliations and cash flow.

- Practical experience in budgeting, forecasting, working capital and management reporting.

- Strong Excel skills and experience with ERP or accounting systems.

- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and take end-to-end ownership.

- Strong communication, problem-solving and stakeholder-management skills.

- Willingness to remain hands-on in a lean, growing business environment.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

- Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent professional accounting qualification.

- Experience in FMCG, wholesale, distribution, food and beverage, consumer goods, import-export or other inventory-led businesses.

- Exposure to inventory accounting, landed costs, customer rebates, trade promotions and retailer reconciliations.

- Experience with Odoo or an ERP implementation/transition.

- Familiarity with Xero, SAP, Power BI or finance automation tools.

- Experience with Australian tax, payroll and statutory compliance; this is an advantage, not a mandatory requirement.