Location: Melbourne, VIC (On-site, Head Office)
Engagement: Full-time, Permanent
Posted by: Agent Capital - Engaged Business Advisory
The Opportunity
As part of a broader business advisory mandate for a leading Australian quick‐service restaurant (QSR) group, Agent Capital has been engaged to identify a Financial Controller – Australia to lead the finance function for its domestic operations.
Our client is the largest privately‐owned QSR franchise operator in Australia, with an extensive restaurant portfolio across Victoria, NSW, and the ACT. The group has recently expanded internationally, creating a multi‐geography operation with combined revenues exceeding A$400 million. The broader enterprise also encompasses a substantial property portfolio (25+ entities) and several related private entities.
This is not a new role. As part of the business advisory engagement, we have identified that the growth and increasing complexity of the group now requires an enhanced skill set in this position. The Financial Controller will be the most senior finance member on the ground in Australia reporting to the CFO, operating with significant autonomy while the CFO focuses on group‐level and international matters.
What You'll Be Responsible For
* Leading the Australian finance function, including financial and management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis for a $400M+ multi‐site operation.
* Owning covenant reporting and lender relationship management across multiple banking facilities, including preparation of compliance reports, cash flow statements, and detailed lender commentary.
* Managing financial reporting and compliance for a property portfolio of 25+ entities, including coordination with the development team on acquisitions, disposals, and lease documentation.
* Overseeing statutory compliance across all entities – BAS, PAYG, payroll tax, FBT, income tax, and annual audit coordination.
* IFRS 16 application across a multi‐site lease portfolio, including right‐of‐use asset management and the impact of lease liabilities on banking covenant calculations.
* Monitoring and tracing inter‐entity cash flows across the group, ensuring all movements are documented and reconcilable for lender reporting.
* Acting as the primary liaison between external tax advisors and internal stakeholders, ensuring source materials for tax compliance are obtained and verified in a timely manner.
* Supporting the CFO on group‐level consolidation, financial due diligence for acquisitions, and refinancing activities.
* Driving process improvement and automation across the finance function, identifying opportunities to reduce manual work and increase efficiency.
* Managing a team of 8–10 across accounts payable, management accounting, payroll, and ERP/finance support.
About You
* CA/CPA qualified with a tertiary degree in accounting, finance, or commerce.
* 8–10+ years post‐qualification experience, with at least 3 years in a Financial Controller or senior finance leadership role.
* Proven experience with banking covenant reporting and lender management – this is essential, not desirable.
* Experience in multi‐entity environments with complex group structures (operating companies, property portfolios, related parties).
* Strong technical accounting skills including IFRS 16 application, consolidation, and tax compliance.
* Proficiency in ERP/EPM systems (Oracle NetSuite or equivalent), lease management platforms, and advanced Excel.
* A genuine interest in process improvement, automation, and leveraging technology to improve finance operations.
* Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a founder‐led, entrepreneurial environment – comfortable with ambiguity, competing priorities, and informal decision‐making structures.
* QSR, hospitality, franchise, or multi‐site retail experience is highly regarded but not essential.
What's in it for You
This is a rare opportunity to step into a high‐impact leadership role within a business that is at a genuine inflection point. The group has the scale and ambition of a listed company with the agility and directness of a private family business. You will have real influence over how the finance function evolves, a mandate to drive automation and efficiency, and direct exposure to the CEO, strategic advisors, and lender relationships that would typically sit with a CFO.
For the right person, this role offers a clear trajectory into a more senior position as the group continues to grow.
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