The City of Whittlesea is one of Australia's fastest growing municipalities, supporting a community of more than 220,000 residents through the delivery of essential local government services. With significant population growth, ongoing investment in infrastructure, and a strong commitment to financial sustainability, Council continues to strengthen its capability to support a rapidly evolving municipality.
Working at Whittlesea means joining an organisation committed to making lives better. Underpinned by values of integrity, collaboration, care and community, Council offers meaningful work within a supportive and high performing environment where continuous improvement, innovation and professional development are genuinely encouraged.
The Finance team is well regarded across the organisation and has built a collaborative culture where people are trusted, supported and encouraged to contribute. With strong leadership, flexible working arrangements, ongoing learning opportunities and genuine career development, this is an opportunity to join a finance function where you'll be empowered to make an impact while continuing to grow professionally.
As part of a recent finance restructure, Council has created this brand new Financial Accounting & Recovery Coordinator position to strengthen technical financial capability, support continued growth across the organisation and provide additional leadership within the Financial Compliance and Control team.
About the Role
Reporting to the Unit Manager Financial Compliance and Control, this newly created Band 7 leadership role sits at the centre of Council's financial accounting, compliance and financial control functions.
A true technical leadership opportunity, the role combines financial accounting, statutory reporting, asset accounting and internal financial controls with responsibility for overseeing Council's debt recovery framework and supporting continuous improvement across financial processes.
This role provides the opportunity to become the second in charge within the team, working closely with the Unit Manager across month end reporting, balance sheet reconciliations, statutory financial statements, external audit, accounting policies, internal controls and compliance with Australian Accounting Standards.
The successful candidate will also play a key role supporting Council's asset accounting function, partnering closely with the Asset Management team to ensure accurate capitalisation, reconciliations and financial reporting across Council's growing asset portfolio.
Leading a small team including the Supervisor Financial Support Services and Assistant Financial Accountant, you will provide coaching, guidance and support while helping to build capability across financial accounting, debt recovery and compliance.
The role has been created to provide additional capability rather than replace an existing position. The successful candidate will inherit well established work, receive a structured handover from the current accountant and have the opportunity to shape the role, improve processes and influence how financial accounting and compliance continue to evolve within Council.
This role will suit someone who enjoys technical accounting, values collaboration and wants to work in an environment where they can genuinely influence outcomes while remaining hands on.
About You
You are a technically strong financial accountant with experience across statutory reporting, month end processes, balance sheet reconciliations, financial controls and external audit within a complex organisation.
You enjoy solving technical accounting problems, improving financial processes and ensuring strong governance and compliance. You are confident interpreting Australian Accounting Standards and can provide sound technical advice while maintaining high quality financial reporting.
Equally important is your ability to build relationships. This role works closely across Finance, Asset Management and the broader organisation, requiring someone who can partner effectively with stakeholders, provide practical guidance and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Your leadership style is supportive, approachable and collaborative. Whether you've previously led a small team or are ready to take the next step into formal leadership, you'll enjoy developing people while remaining involved in the technical detail.
Local Government experience will be well regarded, particularly within financial or asset accounting, however it is by no means essential. Council is equally interested in candidates from commercial or broader public sector environments who bring strong financial accounting capability.
Candidates with an audit background making the move into industry, or experienced Financial Accountants looking for greater ownership and leadership responsibility, are strongly encouraged to apply.
This role would strongly suit:
- A technically strong Financial Accountant with experience across statutory reporting, external audit and financial compliance.
- An Audit professional looking to transition into a broad in house financial accounting role.
- A Local Government Financial Accountant or Asset Accountant looking to broaden their exposure across compliance, financial reporting and leadership
Application Process
For a confidential discussion or to receive a copy of the Information Pack, please contact Sarah Kettlewell on 0478 041 199 or sarah@publicsectorpeople.com.au.
Public Sector People are partnering exclusively with the City of Whittlesea on this appointment. All applications and enquiries will be managed by Public Sector People.
Role Closes; Tuesday the 4th of August 2026 at 3pm
