Lead - Financial Accounting and Compliance

About Brisbane Catholic Education 
Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) is a vibrant learning community within the Archdiocese, employing over 12,000 people across a diverse range of positions. As the largest provider of Catholic education in Queensland, BCE is dedicated to delivering high-quality education from Prep to Year 12. Through strong partnerships with parents, governments, and the wider community, BCE fosters social responsibility, self-discipline and Catholic values in all its students. We offer a supportive working culture where care for the individual is an important part of our ethos. Arrive at work every day to a welcoming and compassionate environment, knowing that you'll be supported to take care of what's important to you. Learn more about Brisbane Catholic Education. 

Summary

Ready to take ownership of statutory reporting and help build a stronger, more contemporary finance and compliance environment?

Brisbane Catholic Education is seeking an energetic and technically capable finance leader to lead our financial accounting, statutory reporting, taxation, compliance and assurance activities.

This is a high-impact opportunity for someone who is ready to step in and lead BCE’s financial statement process while strengthening the frameworks, controls, technical capability and ways of working that sit behind reliable financial reporting. You will combine hands-on delivery with leadership, improvement and influence across a large and complex not-for-profit education environment.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager, Financial Accounting Services, you will lead a specialist function and provide enterprise-wide leadership across financial accounting and compliance. A central priority will be end-to-end ownership of BCE’s annual statutory financial statements, including planning, technical accounting positions, workpaper quality, stakeholder coordination, audit readiness and delivery.

Beyond statutory reporting, you will provide authoritative advice on Australian Accounting Standards, taxation, grants, acquittals, asset accounting, audit and regulatory requirements. You will also act as the senior Finance subject matter expert for developing BCE’s finance policies, procedures, guidance and learning materials, providing technical direction and quality assurance rather than producing those artefacts directly. The role will drive improvements to systems, processes, reporting integrity and compliance maturity across BCE.

• Location: BCEO Woolloongabba 
• Work hours: Fulltime | Flexible Working Arrangements Available
• Status: Fixed Term | October 2026 – October 2027
• Salary: $155,351 plus 12.75% super
• Ad Close date: 6 October 2026
• Contact: CareersBCE@bne.catholic.edu.au 

About the opportunity

• End-to-end delivery of BCE’s statutory financial statements and supporting year-end program
• Financial reporting integrity, general ledger governance, period-end and year-end assurance
• Technical accounting advice, position papers and consistent application of Australian Accounting Standards
• Taxation, grants reporting, acquittals, asset accounting and wider regulatory compliance activities
• External and internal audit coordination, technical workpapers, evidence standards and timely resolution of findings
• Subject matter expertise, technical direction and quality assurance for the development of finance policies, procedures, guidance and learning materials
• Continuous improvement through process redesign, automation, systems enhancement and better operating practices
• Clear technical guidance and learning resources that build capability across Finance, BCE teams and schools
• A capable, collaborative team with strong accountability, knowledge sharing and professional development
• Trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, schools, auditors, regulators and external partners

About you

You will ideally bring:

• Significant experience leading statutory reporting and the preparation of financial statements in a large or complex organisation
• Strong technical knowledge of Australian Accounting Standards and financial reporting requirements
• Experience across taxation, accounting policy, grants, acquittals, asset accounting, audit or assurance
• A track record of developing high-quality technical workpapers and accounting positions, and providing credible subject matter guidance on finance controls and governance requirements
• The ability to lead audit relationships and coordinate complex deliverables across multiple stakeholders
• Experience improving financial accounting processes, systems, reporting integrity and control effectiveness
• Strong people leadership, coaching and capability-building skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical matters into practical advice
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in accounting, finance, commerce or a related discipline
• CA, CPA or equivalent professional membership, or demonstrated progress towards membership

Eligibility and Safeguarding requirements:  

• Eligibility to work in Australia for the duration of the appointment  
• Ability to obtain a National Criminal History check prior to commencement

Why choose BCE

• Take ownership of a critical enterprise-wide statutory reporting program
• Shape a stronger, more mature financial accounting, reporting and compliance environment
• Lead practical improvements with visible organisational impact
• Work across diverse technical matters in a purpose-led education organisation
• Build team capability and influence consistent financial practices across BCE
• Join a collaborative Financial Services leadership team focused on stewardship, service and continuous improvement

Please note applications for this position may be considered as they are received, and an appointment made prior to the advertised close date.

Everyone at BCE models and fosters a commitment to the safeguarding of children and promotes a culture where student protection is everyone’s responsibility. The Archdiocese of Brisbane has standards of conduct for workers to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children. Our commitment to these standards requires that we conduct working with children checks and background referencing for all persons who will engage in direct and regular involvement with children and young people and/or adults-at-risk. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has a zero tolerance to abuse of children or adults-at-risk.

Equity and inclusion are at the core of our Catholic values and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce. We encourage and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.

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