Financial Controller
Southern IML Pathology | Wollongong, NSW
The Opportunity
Southern IML Pathology (SIML) has a full time (on site) position seeking an experienced, hands‑on Financial Controller to play a critical leadership role in a growing, medically led pathology practice. This senior position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is part of the SIML Executive, and a dotted‑line relationship to the CFO of Sonic Healthcare Australia Pathology. Combining strong financial governance with meaningful operational and strategic input, well beyond a traditional financial controller role. Based on site in Wollongong, the role will suit a commercially astute finance leader who enjoys working close to the business and partnering with executives to drive and maintain a sustainable performance.
About Southern IML Pathology and Sonic Healthcare
Southern IML Pathology has served the region for over 40 years and is a respected provider of diagnostic pathology services across the Illawarra and South Coast of NSW. SIML employs approximately 400 staff and operates nearly 100 collection centres strategically located within the region, supported by laboratories in Coniston, Nowra and Wollongong Private Hospital. The practice is well known in the local medical community, with a strong reputation for being innovative in the pathology and quality management fields.
SIML is an entity of the Sonic Healthcare Group, an Australian‑owned, a top‑50 ASX‑listed company operating globally in pathology, radiology, medical centres and related healthcare services. Sonic is one of the world’s largest providers of pathology services, employing approximately 36,000 people worldwide, with leading market positions across Australia, Europe, the United States and New Zealand. Sonic’s decentralised model, strong medical leadership and disciplined financial management underpin its long‑term success.
The Role
The Financial Controller working with the SIML Executive has primary responsibility for overseeing, managing and directing financial‑related activities of SIML, and working with the CFO of Sonic Pathology Australia in fostering a performance‑driven environment.
This role requires a balance of technical excellence, commercial insight and a high level of interpersonal skills to guide required financial outcomes.
The successful candidate will work closely with operational leaders, shared Sonic services and senior stakeholders to ensure strong financial discipline, meaningful reporting and continuous improvement. The role also provides exposure to transformation initiatives, including increasing automation, enhanced analytics and a planned transition from Microsoft Dynamics AX to D365 commencing in 2026.
Essential Criteria
· A degree qualification and CA or CPA accreditation
· Some experience in a senior finance or financial controller role
· Ideally an audit background and experience in medium‑sized or complex
organisations
· Strong analytical capability and sound commercial judgement
· The ability to operate comfortably across detail and high‑level analysis
· A clear communication style and confidence engaging with senior stakeholders
· A collaborative, hands‑on approach and willingness to understand the detail
· Experience in healthcare, hospital or pathology environments is advantageous
Key Responsibilities
· Oversee and lead the local finance function, including Accounts Payable, Stores and
Property
· Ensure all financial and non‑financial reporting requirements are met accurately and
on time
· Manage the annual budget and forecasting process with SIML Executive.
· Ensure compliance with all tax, statutory and group reporting requirements
· Provide insight into revenue mix, billing processes and margin improvement
opportunities
· Maintain, develop and enhance the framework of financial controls
· Undertake ad‑hoc financial modelling and business analysis to support
decision‑making
· Manage and monitor business improvement and transformation projects
· Harness data and systems to improve financial analytics and performance insights
· Provide support and advice to SIML Executive Management and Sonic Head Office
as required
Systems and Operating Environment
Southern IML Pathology operates within a sophisticated systems environment and offers meaningful involvement in systems improvement, automation and analytics, rather than business‑as‑usual processing alone, including:
· Microsoft Dynamics AX for General Ledger and procurement (transition to D365
planned)
· In‑house Laboratory Information System (Apollo)
· Cognos, Microsoft BI and Crystal Reporting
· UKG Pro for Time & Attendance
· iChris for payroll (managed centrally by Sonic)
· Extensive use of Microsoft Excel
If you are a capable and confident finance professional who enjoys being close to the centre of operational decisions to ensure the provision of a valuable community service whilst maintaining strong financial governance, this role provides the opportunity.
The role will suit a senior finance professional who values making a substantial contribution to positive outcomes as much as accuracy, partnership and governance. Combining technical excellence with real impact, provides the opportunity to navigate the complexities in a medical outcome driven, healthcare organisation.
Applications should describe suitability for this position.
Enquiries: Dr Caitlin Keighley 7***.
Application closing date: Wednesday 8 April 2026
Applicants must have the right to work in Australia for this position.