Financial Controller

About the role

Highbury is working with a PE‑backed consumer products company to appoint a Financial Controller in Sydney. Reporting to the CFO and working closely with the PE sponsor, you will lead day‑to‑day finance operations, sharpen cash visibility and modernise finance processes in a high‑growth environment.

Key responsibilities

• Own month‑end close, balance‑sheet integrity, inventory and cost accounting, and statutory and management reporting.
• Lead cash‑flow forecasting and working‑capital management, providing clear liquidity visibility to the CFO and sponsor.
• Coordinate tax compliance (BAS/GST, payroll tax, income tax) with external advisers.
• Take ownership of payroll accuracy, compliance and controls.
• Drive finance transformation across ERP, automation, reporting and financial controls.
• Recruit, develop and lead the finance team, shaping structure and capability.
• Support audit, lender and covenant reporting and prepare board and investor packs.

Required profile

• CA/CPA qualified with a strong technical accounting foundation.
• Background in a large corporate environment with recent experience in a growing SME or PE‑backed business.
• Proven experience in a senior finance or financial control role, ideally within consumer products or manufacturing.
• Strong cash‑flow forecasting and working‑capital experience.
• Working knowledge of Australian tax and payroll obligations.
• Experience leading or building a finance team and influencing senior stakeholders.

Required skills

• ERP implementation or improvement experience.
• Advanced Excel and financial reporting skills.
• Cash‑flow forecasting.
• Inventory and cost accounting.
• Tax compliance (BAS/GST, payroll tax, income tax).
• Payroll processing and controls.