Financial Controller

Description

Do you want to build a finance function that powers national growth, not maintain spreadsheets for an organisation that's already figured it out?

Contour has proven its product-market fit. What began as a scrappy startup is now a high-growth scale-up ranked on the AFR Fast 100 four years in a row (#8 in 2025), and our finance function will be central to how we grow, acquire, and scale in 2026 and beyond.

We're seeking a Financial Controller who is a builder, not just a bean counter. This role offers end-to-end ownership of the numbers that drive our organisation: from month-end close to M&A readiness, from cashflow stewardship to entity integration. You won't just be reporting on the past; you will be building the financial infrastructure that makes confident growth possible.

Your mandate: control, scale, and partner.

At Contour, we’re reshaping education, one student at a time. 

Since 2020, over 10,000+ students have trusted Contour to guide their academic journey, and we’ve grown to over 300+ team members. We’ve produced hundreds of 99+ ATARs, tutored the World-Record UCAT scorer, and placed more students into medical school than any school in Australia. 

Our growth is a testament to the simple philosophy: Put the student first, always. Everything we design, from our world-class tutor-training programs to our purpose-built campuses, exists to help students master content faster, perform with confidence, and even rekindle the joy of learning. 

Contour is a group of three brands united by one goal: to give every student the best chance to achieve their full potential:

• Contour Education: Reshaping how students master their high school subjects with small-group tutoring, structured resources, and 1-on-1 support across Maths, Science, and English.
• Contour Medprep: Reshaping medical preparation with a proven, step-by-step pathway through the UCAT, interviews, and admissions, led by a team of 100+ medical students. 
• Contour TestPrep: Reshaping test preparation, starting with the selective entry exam, through rigorous tutoring, mock exams, and data-driven feedback to give students a decisive advantage. 

This is Contour. Built by students, for students.

Reporting to the CFO, you will serve as the operational anchor of Contour's finance function, with direct management of the Group Payroll Manager, Finance Analyst, and Junior Accountant.

Financial Reporting & Control

• Own end-to-end month-end and year-end close processes across all entities, delivering financial statements within agreed SLAs.
• Prepare executive reporting packs with clear variance commentary, forward-looking narrative, and decision-grade insight.
• Lead audit preparation and maintain ongoing audit readiness, including chart of accounts, intercompany reconciliation, and group elimination entries.
• Maintain strong internal controls and documentation standards across a multi-campus, multi-entity structure.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with department leaders and the CFO.
• Maintain rolling 12-month forecasts with scenario modelling, including upside and downside cases for growth scenarios.
• Deliver monthly variance analysis with forward-looking risk and opportunity identification.
• Instil financial discipline and budget accountability across the organisation.

Cashflow & Working Capital Management

• Maintain accurate short- and medium-term cashflow forecasts and monitor revenue, margin, and cost performance across campuses and entities.
• Improve debtor collection cycles and optimise working capital efficiency.
• Manage banking relationships at an operational level, including facility compliance and covenant reporting.
• Escalate material financial risks to the CFO in a timely, structured, and solutions-oriented manner.

Multi-Entity Growth & Integration

• Provide financial analysis and modelling support for new entity establishment, interstate expansion, and structural growth initiatives.
• Lead the financial integration of new entities: chart of accounts alignment, system migration, reporting integration, and control implementation.
• Build financial models for scenario evaluation, performance tracking, and growth planning.
• Establish day-one finance readiness plans for newly established or restructured entities.
• Navigate ambiguity: make sound judgement calls on financial treatment and process design where precedent does not exist.

Systems, Compliance & Process Optimisation

• Strengthen finance systems, automation, and reporting infrastructure to support multi-entity, multi-campus operations.
• Document and implement a scalable Finance Operations Manual.
• Ensure compliance with AASB accounting standards, tax obligations (income tax, GST, FBT, payroll tax), and all statutory requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend system investments (ERP, consolidation tools, BI) as the organisation scales.

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, reporting and long-term financial strategy
• Provide commercial insights that shape decision-making across the business
• Manage cash flow, compliance, audit, tax, and financial risk across jurisdictions
• Build a best-in-class finance function across Payroll, Billing, Accounts and FP&A
• Introduce scalable financial systems, automation and performance dashboards
• Partner with the executive team on profitability, pricing and capital strategy
• Oversee annual audit, cross-functional financial projects and systems upgrades
• Lead and develop a high-performing team through coaching and accountability
• Ensure accurate, timely and transparent financial reporting
• Drive financial alignment across People, Academic, Operations and Tech teams

• Technical Credentials: CA or CPA qualified (or equivalent), with 7+ years in financial control, management accounting, or senior finance roles, including at least 2 years at controller or equivalent level.
• Multi-Entity Experience: Demonstrated involvement in entity integration, multi-site consolidation, or standing up finance operations in new or restructured entities.
• Scale-Up Background: Track record in high-growth, multi-site, or service-sector organisations. Education sector experience is a bonus, not a requirement.
• Financial Modelling Capability: Strong budgeting, forecasting, and scenario analysis skills, with the ability to translate numbers into operational insight.
• Systems Orientation: Demonstrated experience improving finance systems, controls, and reporting infrastructure.
• Execution Under Ambiguity: Comfortable building structure where it does not yet exist, and making sound judgement calls when perfect information is unavailable.
• High Ownership Mindset: Highly structured and process-oriented, with strong upward reporting discipline and the instinct to close loops without being chased.
• Mission-Alignment: Genuinely motivated by contributing to meaningful educational impact.

• Impact & Ownership: You will own the finance function below CFO level, with real influence over the financial decisions that shape Contour's national growth trajectory.
• Complexity Without Corporate Bureaucracy: Multi-entity, multi-campus, and actively expanding nationally, you'll work across the full spectrum of financial complexity without the red tape of a large corporate.
• A Seat at the Table: You will partner directly with the CFO and executive leadership team, translating financial performance into strategic decisions that matter.
• Growth Potential: Opportunity for career development as Contour scales into a national education group, with a finance function that grows with it.
• Flexible Environment: Hybrid-friendly, with on-site presence at our Melbourne campuses to connect with the team and operational leaders.
• Competitive Package: Attractive salary commensurate with experience, plus super, leave entitlements, EAP access, and lifestyle perks.

Ready to build a finance function that sustains something that lasts? If you want to bring financial precision and commercial rigour to a mission that genuinely matters, we want to hear from you.
How to Apply

Ready to make a real impact? Here is our application process:

1. Submit your application.
2. Shortlisted candidates will complete a video interview and a case-based assessment.
3. Suitable candidates will then be invited for a panel interview.