Financial Controller (Hybrid)

🎯 Mission of the Position

To build and own the financial operations backbone of our client as they scale globally. The Financial Controller will ensure rigorous financial hygiene, timely reporting, budget control, lender and grant compliance, and seamless multi-jurisdictional execution across external providers. The role supports executive decision making and enables operational scale, while also building and automating the processes that underpin performance and growth.

🧠 Key Criteria / Requirements

Must Haves:

• 5+ years in Financial Controller or senior finance roles in high-growth SaaS or recurring revenue businesses

• Deep understanding of SaaS financial models, ARR/MRR, accrual accounting, CAC, LTV, burn multiples, etc.

• Experience managing multi-entity accounting across AU/UK/US/CA including tax, compliance, currencies and payroll workflows

• Proven ability to oversee outsourced finance vendors (bookkeeping, tax agents, payroll)

• Strong systems capability across Xero, Syft, Airwallex, Rippling, Google Sheets

• Experience leading annual budgeting cycles and re-forecasting

• Experience preparing R&D tax claims

• Demonstrated ability to build, automate and improve financial processes end-to-end

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, especially with executives

Nice to Haves:

• Prior exposure to R&D grant programs (AusIndustry, clean tech incentives)

• Experience supporting lender reporting under ASC 606 or IFRS 15

• Experience in investor reporting or board reporting environments

• Background in climate tech or energy-related sectors

📊 Measurable Accountabilities

The role is accountable for closing the monthly books within five business days, ensuring zero material errors. A key performance metric is forecast accuracy, which is expected to reach at least 80 percent for the rolling three-month forecast, with a target of 95 percent accuracy as systems and processes mature. The reporting cadence requires the delivery of a monthly P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow statement, and Variance Analysis to both leadership and the board.

Budgeting responsibilities encompass managing the annual budget cycle with input from all departments and updating the rolling 12-month forecast on a quarterly basis. For external partner management, clear service-level agreements (SLAs) and accountability must be maintained with all bookkeepers, tax agents, and payroll partners across Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The integrity of finance systems and workflows is critical, requiring that integrated platforms—including Xero, Syft, Airwallex, Chargebee, Hubdoc, and Rippling—remain reliable.

Lender and investor reporting must be delivered 100 percent on time and in full compliance with ASC 606 and IFRS 15 standards. All R&D and grant submissions are to be completed punctually, supported by full documentation. Furthermore, ad hoc financial analysis requests from the CEO or COO require a high-quality turnaround, including insights and actionable recommendations, within 72 hours.

💼 Key Competencies

Success in the role demands a competency for Detail-Oriented Execution, characterized by high rigor, accuracy, and dependability in all financial workflows, even under pressure. A strong SaaS Financial Acumen is essential to understand the unique mechanics, metrics, and drivers of recurring revenue business models. The position also requires proficiency in Global Coordination, confidently navigating multi-region compliance, payroll, tax, and reporting requirements.

Effective Third-Party Oversight involves skillfully managing relationships and performance with outsourced accountants, bookkeepers, and tax agents. The role must take full ownership of the Reporting Rhythm, maintaining strict calendars to ensure all finance outputs are delivered consistently and predictably. Being Systems Fluent is mandatory, requiring confident operation of the core financial tech stack, including Xero, Syft, Rippling, and Airwallex.

Ultimately, the individual must act as a Trusted Business Partner. This means going beyond simply providing data to instead deliver proactive communication, valuable insights, and strategic recommendations that support key business decisions.

🤝 Collaboration Touchpoints

• COO – primary partner for financial operations, budgeting, and reporting

• CEO – insights, strategic support, forecasting, investor and lender reporting

• Department Heads – budget inputs, expenditure control, forecasting alignment

• People & Culture – payroll, compliance, remuneration changes

• External vendors – bookkeepers, tax advisors, auditors, R&D consultants

• Finance systems & tooling providers – Xero, Syft, Rippling, Airwallex

📈 What Success Looks Like

• Our client has a predictable, reliable, and accurate finance function that leadership trusts

• Monthly close, reporting, and cashflow forecasting run like clockwork

• The business has clear visibility into burn, ARR, margins, CAC/LTV, and financial risks

• External finance partners across regions operate with clarity, accountability, and quality

• Lender and investor reporting is seamless, timely, and accurate

• Budgeting and forecasting processes become structured, cross-functional, and data-driven

• Financial systems and workflows are increasingly automated, reducing manual effort

• There is strong confidence in the finance foundation as our client scales globally

What our client offers

🚀 Career Growth: Build the financial foundation of a global climate-tech company 💡

💰 Competitive Package: Base salary + performance-based bonus.
🌍 Flexible Working: Hybrid role based in Sydney, with flexibility to support global operations.
🖥️ Technology Allowance: Support for essential work equipment and tools.
❤️ Health & Well-being Allowance: Contribution towards health and wellness expenses.
🌴 Generous Leave Policy: Competitive annual leave + public holidays.

If this kind of work gets you excited, we'd love to hear from you! Even if you don’t meet 100 percent of the requirements listed above, we still encourage you to apply. We're open to all backgrounds and encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. We never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.

About us

Our client streamlines the transition to zero emission vehicles with intelligent software solutions and expert advisory services that enable organisations to plan and manage fleets with a simplified, data-driven approach. Our client’s platform offers robust energy modelling capabilities that help fleet operators make informed decisions about electrifying depots, optimising charging schedules, and reducing the cost of transitioning to zero emissions. Our client is a global leader in planning, procurement, implementation and operations software for zero-emissions fleets and infrastructure. Founded in 2016 in Australia and the UK, the company has expanded to serve over 200 complex fleets across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.