Vacancy Details

  • Based in Bannockburn, great location and an easy drive from Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne with free onsite parking
  • Permanent full time role with opportunity to grow  
  • Genuine flexibility including hybrid work arrangements & flexible hours
  • Senior Leadership position
  • Total remuneration package of $167,890

Golden Plains Shire Council provides a workplace where people matter, communities are connected, and the future is bright. We offer a diverse range of career pathways in meaningful roles with a sense of purpose where you can grow and thrive. 

To continue to deliver for our community, we are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead the team and manage the financial planning and budgeting requirements for Council and ensuring that statutory financial reporting obligations and requirements are met.

This role will provide you the opportunity to:

  • Lead and manage the various functions of the department. 
  • Provide and present monthly financial report to the Senior Leadership Team and quarterly financial reports to Council and Council’s Audit and Risk Committee within set timeframes.
  • Monitor developments in accounting and costing practice to ensure that Council uses the most appropriate business reporting practices.
  • Prepare Council’s annual budget and annual financial statements for adoption in accordance with the requirements of Local Government Act and Australian Accounting Standards. Liaise with Council’s Auditors and achieve a satisfactory audit outcome.
  • Ensure that Council has in place effective financial management and reporting systems that produce quality annual and long-term budgets and financial statements.
  • Ensure that Council’s rating, billing and collection systems efficiently and effectively collect the revenue entitled to Council in accordance with legislation and Council’s policies. 
  • Oversee the Procurement function of Council, including the advice and support for contracts and tenders.
  • Ensure procurement occurs within Council’s requirements an achieving value for money.
  • Oversee the management of Council’s light and heavy fleet and plant, including the management of an appropriate Fleet Management Framework for all plant types.

Our ideal candidate will have:

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications and membership of a recognised accounting body, preferably CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
  • Extensive financial accounting experience – preferably in Local Government.
  • Proven experience in preparation of budgets, forecasts, financial reports and funding acquittals.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret financial information, determine trends and effectively manage Council’s resources through the development and implementation of the Financial Plan in conjunction with budgetary controls. 
  • Technical knowledge of and ability to apply legislation and standards applicable to this position including Australian Accounting Standards, GST, Financial Plan and Local Government compliance and reporting standards. 
  • Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills and the ability to deliver financial advice and lead conversations about budget development and financial results.
  • Highly developed people management, leadership and teamwork skills, with demonstrated experience in leading diverse teams.

* Don’t meet every single requirement?  If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, give us a call to talk further. We take into consideration transferable skills, future capability and cultural fit when reviewing applications and offer tailored development plans to support individuals to grow into their roles.  You may just be the right candidate for this or another position at Golden Plains.

We care We thrive We grow

Our people are passionate, collaborative and deeply committed to both the community and the work they do. This commitment is felt from the moment you step through the doors, in every interaction and in the way we celebrate our collective achievements.

We care about our community and our people, provide flexibility and support so you can thrive and offer a diverse range of opportunities to support your personal and professional growth. We are dedicated to fostering this culture, because we know that our people are the key to the future growth and success of Golden Plains Shire.

We offer:

  • Learning and development opportunities aligned to your role and aspirations, along with opportunities to work on a variety of projects and undertake secondments 
  • Flexible work arrangements to empower you to achieve better life/work balance
  • A modern, high-quality, architectural designed working environment with free onsite parking
  • An environment where health, safety and wellbeing are prioritised in all that we do
  • An active Social Club
  • Novated leases available to permanent full and part time staff 
  • Ability to transfer years of service from Government organisations and transfer of LSL balance within Local Government and with some government organisations
  • Generous leave entitlements including: 
    • Up to 16 weeks primary & up to 3 weeks secondary parental leave
    • Purchased leave
    • Ceremonial leave
    • Gender affirmation leave
    • Family violence leave

For further information about the role and the key selection criteria, please view the Position Description below or, for a confidential discussion, contact Lynnere Gray, Director Corporate Services on 0427 600 889.

We’d love to hear from you ASAP regarding this role!  To ensure we find the best candidates, applications for this role will be assessed as they are received, and the position may be filled prior to any end date advertised.

APPLY NOW

Click on Apply to submit your application and following the prompts.  

Please address the key selection criteria (KSC) in your cover letter or use the KSC to guide your responses to the online questionnaire when submitting your application.

For further tips and tricks to help you shine during the recruitment process, visit our website.

We encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments or additional support you may require during the recruitment process, as well as how this role can be flexible for you. Please contact our People & Culture team at peopleandculture@gplains.vic.gov.au to discuss how we can best support you.

Applications close on SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2026 at 11.59PM

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace that allows staff to bring their whole selves to all that they do.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing a safe workplace that embraces and values child safety, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the value and diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to the heritage of all Australians and our workplace.

We wholeheartedly believe that the decisions we make and the services we deliver benefit from having a workforce representative of the community we support - that the diversity of thought, experience, insights and background will ensure the needs of the broader community are considered in all we do. We encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.