Finance Officer

Employment Type: Fixed-term contract with a view to permanency 

Hours: Part-time (0.8 FTE) to Full-time 

NFP Salary Packing upto $18,550

Applications: Applications will be reviewed as received, and the position may be filled prior to the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

About the Role

Join a growing, purpose-driven organisation dedicated to advancing mental health through education, research and clinical services.

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Finance Officer to join our growing Finance team. Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the Institute’s financial operations through the delivery of accurate payroll, accounts payable, reconciliations, and financial administration functions.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and expanding organisation while working collaboratively with colleagues across our academic, clinical and research divisions.

As Cairnmillar prepares to implement a new finance system, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in this exciting project and contribute to ongoing process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Process fortnightly payroll for 150+ employees, including salary packaging, superannuation, and entitlements.
• Manage accounts payable end-to-end, including invoice entry, payments, remittances, and receipts.
• Maintain daily bank feeds and reconcile transactions.
• Process client payments in clinic and student management systems.
• Complete annual payroll reconciliation and ensure Tax Ready compliance.
• Manage invoice, payment, and student-related queries.
• Record and receipt donations.
• Administer corporate credit card transactions and monthly statements.
• Manage accounts receivable and follow up outstanding amounts.
• Process student fees and manage payment plans.
• Investigate and resolve receivable discrepancies.
• Post general journals to the general ledger.
• Reconcile superannuation, PAYG withholding and salary packaging transactions.
• Perform monthly general ledger and bank reconciliations.
• Provide information and reporting to internal stakeholders.
• Prepare monthly cashflow statements.
• Maintain the fixed asset register.
• Support funding acquittal reporting
• Provide administrative support as required.
• Assist with special events.
• Undertake other duties as directed.

For a full list of responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Current Police Check and Working with Children Check
• Proficient in MYOB, Excel and Payroll, HRIS systems, preferably Employment Hero
• Strong understanding of organisational financial processes
• Minimum five years’ experience in accounting or bookkeeping
• Experience processing payroll for 100+ staff
• High accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong general ledger reconciliation experience
• Accounts receivable management experience
• Degree or qualification in Accounting or Finance
• Experience in NFP, including acquittal reporting would be advantageous.

About Cairnmillar Institute

For more than 65 years, The Cairnmillar Institute has been a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving mental health through education, research, and clinical practice in psychology, counselling, and psychotherapy.

Today, Cairnmillar is one of Australia’s largest educators of postgraduate psychologists and counsellors. In addition to our education programs, we provide a broad range of clinical services across four Melbourne locations: North Melbourne, Hawthorn East, Dandenong and Melbourne CBD, as well as through remote service delivery.

Why Join Cairnmillar?

At Cairnmillar, we value our people and foster a supportive, inclusive and purpose-driven workplace. We offer:

• The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to mental health and wellbeing.
• A supportive and collaborative finance team environment.
• Genuine opportunities to contribute to process improvement and system implementation projects.
• An open-door leadership culture.
• A strong focus on employee wellbeing.
• Salary packaging benefits.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• A friendly and welcoming workplace culture.
• A commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity employment.

Child Safety and Employment Screening

Cairnmillar Institute is committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse.

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain:

• A satisfactory National Police Check.
• A valid Working with Children Check.
• Satisfactory reference checks.

Our Values

At Cairnmillar, we are guided by the values of:

Collaboration | Compassion | Integrity | Professionalism | Respect

We seek people who demonstrate these values in their work and interactions every day.