Description:
The Mulberry Group is a Melbourne-based hospitality group founded in 2011 by Nathan Toleman. Since then, The Mulberry Group has opened and operated several unique stand-alone venues including Top Paddock, The Kettle Black, and Higher Ground. These venues have come to epitomise the Melbourne café scene, pioneering and setting the standard for innovation, design, food and commitment to sustainability.
Today, our venues include Hazel, Dessous, Liminal, Lilac Wine, Heide Kitchen, Square One Coffee Roasters, Molli, Little Molli and our regenerative agricultural farm and social enterprise, Common Ground Project. Across our venues, we now have a team of over 200 amazing people and counting.
Our mission is to create authentic experiences so that we can support our community through positive social and environmental impact.
Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Group Financial Controller to oversee the financial operations of our organization. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis for the entire group. The Group Financial Controller will work closely with senior management to provide strategic financial guidance and ensure the financial health of the organization.
About the role
As the Group Financial Controller reporting to the CEO, you will be responsible for:
• Managing the overall day-to-day finance function within The Mulberry Group including but not limited to responsibility for revenue recognition, supplier payments, employee expenses, bank reconciliation and payroll.
• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting processes, ensuring they meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders. (Emphasis on month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations)
• Provide ad hoc reporting with detailed analysis and insights into business performance, trends, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with the CEO to develop financial strategies that align with the company’s long-term goals.
• Conduct detailed variance analysis and prepare comprehensive reports to explain deviations from the budget and their implications.
• Cash Flow management and forecasting.
• Partner with Operations managers and the People & Culture Lead to influence change through financial analysis.
• Manage external relationships with tax accountants, banks and other key stakeholders.
• Complete GST tax returns, BAS finalisation, Payroll tax lodgements, Superannuation and reporting.
About you
We are looking for someone with:
• Confident financial leadership experience, ideally in financial control or senior leadership roles.
• CPA or equivalent professional certification would be a plus (but not essential).
• An understanding of or experience in the restaurant hospitality sector.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting, forecasting, and budget management within a fast-growing organisation.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Excel and Google Suite (experience using Xero Accounting software will help).
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting standards.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. The ability to articulate complex financial information in an approachable way.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities.