Financial Controller

Financial Controller

yStop

Perth WA

Full-time, Onsite

Salary: $130,000 – $155,000 per year + ESOP (or equity)

About yStop and Matter IO

yStop is a leading Australian outdoor-media company, transforming council bus shelters and street furniture into smart, digital city infrastructure. This is underpinned by a portfolio of long-term council advertising contracts, providing over 95 years of combined secured tenure and a stable, recurring revenue base. yStop operates alongside its sister company, Matter IO, an Australian smart-cities and environmental-technology firm developing AI solutions for flood, stormwater, and waste management. Matter IO's platforms, Meridian and ThinkOS, are utilised by councils and partners across Australia and internationally, supported by a granted global patent portfolio and an upcoming Series A funding round. Together, yStop and Matter IO form a multi-entity group that balances high-growth deep-tech potential with the financial security of long-dated contracted revenue.

The Opportunity

This is a critical hire for the group. We are seeking a qualified accountant to manage the finance function end-to-end across both entities. The role extends beyond traditional bookkeeping to encompass the forecasting, controls, and strategic visibility required for a company undergoing capital raising and international expansion.

A core expectation of this role is to leverage AI and automation within the finance operations. Routine tasks such as data entry, reconciliations, and standard reporting are anticipated to be increasingly managed by smart tooling, allowing for a focus on high-value activities including analysis, strategy, and collaboration with the CEO and board. This position is ideal for a finance professional keen on AI and interested in developing a contemporary, lean finance function.

The Financial Controller will report directly to the CEO and work closely with the leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Finance & CFO-lite:
• Manage cash-flow forecasting, scenario modelling, and runway planning across the group.
• Prepare board-ready management reporting, key performance indicators (KPIs), and commentary.
• Provide support for capital raising activities, investor reporting, and due diligence.
• Oversee budgeting, financial strategy, and risk identification.
• Contribute commercially to pricing, margin analysis, and significant decision-making.
• Steward yStop's long-dated council-contract revenue, including forecasting, renewal visibility, and margin analysis for the advertising portfolio.
• Financial Control & Reporting:
• Manage month-end close, multi-entity consolidation, and statutory reporting.
• Ensure bank reconciliations, balance-sheet integrity, and audit readiness.
• Liaise with external accountants, brokers, auditors, and the bank.
• Payroll, AP/AR & Compliance:
• Oversee multi-entity payroll, including timesheets, leave management, STP, superannuation payments, and final pays.
• Manage accounts payable and receivable, including payment runs, international payments, invoicing, and debtor management.
• Handle BAS/IAS, GST, PAYG, payroll tax, and superannuation obligations.
• Coordinate R&D tax incentive and grant claim processes.
• AI, Systems & Continuous Improvement:
• Drive automation across the finance stack (Xero + add-ons) to minimise manual effort.
• Identify and implement AI tools to enhance accuracy, speed, and insight.
• Develop clean, scalable finance processes that accommodate business growth.

What You'll Bring

• Essential:
• CA or CPA qualification, or be a finalist with substantial relevant experience.
• Proficient Xero skills, including payroll, reconciliations, reporting, and BAS.
• Demonstrated experience in financial control and management reporting.
• Solid understanding of Australian compliance requirements (BAS, GST, PAYG, superannuation, payroll tax).
• A genuine willingness to utilise AI and automation daily; curiosity is valued over caution.
• Accuracy, commercial judgement, discretion, and the ability to manage your workload independently to deadlines.
• Highly Regarded:
• Experience supporting a capital raise or funding round.
• Multi-entity, trust, or group-structure experience within Xero.
• Exposure to R&D tax incentives, government grants, or finance within deep-tech/start-up environments.
• Experience with long-term contracts, recurring revenue models, or finance in the media/infrastructure sectors.
• Prior experience as a CFO, Head of Finance, or senior Financial Controller.

What's in it for You

• A salary of $130,000–$155,000 per year, plus superannuation, commensurate with experience.
• ESOP participation as a minimum, with broader equity options available for the right candidate, reflecting the importance of this hire and the desire for investment in the group's upside.
• A broad, senior scope with a direct reporting line to the CEO and board engagement.
• Flexible working hours, with the potential for a compressed 4-day week for a suitable candidate.
• A front-row seat to the group's scaling through Series A and international expansion, supported by yStop's established, contracted revenue base.
• Hybrid working arrangements from our Osborne Park office, offering convenient parking and access to freeway and train links.
• The opportunity to build a modern, AI-native finance function from the ground up, with full support from an in-house software development team that has already developed a custom AI/Xero integrated system.