The posting
Koala is a global furniture brand bringing Australian design and innovation to the world. We create forward-thinking products that solve problems for people and homes everywhere, driven by our purpose to make the world a more comfortable place.
We’ve always believed in doing things differently, whether in the way we develop products, how we do people and culture, or the way we bring the brand to life. That mindset has fuelled our growth, helping us disrupt categories in ways that are creative, bold and often unexpected. While we’re a household name in Australia, our journey on the global stage is only just beginning.
Since launching in 2015, our furniture has reached homes across Australia, Japan, the US and the UK. As a B Corp-certified, customer-obsessed, and data-led company, we’re committed to revolutionising furniture for generations to come through design, innovation, and meaningful sustainability.
Role Description
This role is based in Sydney, Australia, reporting to the Group Financial Controller. You will be a core part of the Group Finance team while acting as a dedicated business partner to the US country leadership. We are looking for an individual who will take full ownership of the US entity's financial control and reporting, demonstrating a high degree of autonomy and proactive problem-solving.
This role is for someone who wants to do more than close the books — you'll help mature our finance function as a listed company, drive a faster, sharper month-end close, and help embed AI and automation into how Koala's finance function operates.
Key Responsibilities
Critical Note on Time Zones: This role involves close collaboration with our US team, who operate on Pacific Standard Time (PST). As a result, candidates should be comfortable attending some meetings outside of typical AEST working hours, particularly during March–October when time zone overlap is limited. We support flexible working arrangements, with the expectation that any earlier or later meetings are balanced by adjusting working hours across the day or week.
Financial Ownership & Reporting
- Deliver accurate and timely financial results on a monthly basis for the US entity, including full ownership of the US trial balance and balance sheet.
- Perform all general ledger accounting tasks, such as preparing journal entries, accruals, and completing balance sheet reconciliations with meticulous detail.
- Ensure correct processing of inventory receipts and manage the end-to-end accounting for the US inventory lifecycle.
- Collaborate proactively with the US Country Manager and FP&A Manager to gather financial information and resolve any discrepancies.
- Provide robust support to the Group team during month-end, half-year and year-end closing processes.
Compliance & Audit
- Ensure compliance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), accounting principles, and company policies.
- Assist with preparation of information for US federal and state-level tax and other compliance requirements.
- Provide dedicated support during US entity and/or group audits (half-year and year-end) and assist in maintaining accurate, audit-ready financial records.
Efficiency & Improvement
- Manage accounts payable for the US entity, including invoice processing and payment, with a continuous focus on improving efficiency, leveraging tools like Netsuite and FileAI.
- Proactively seek and implement improvements in finance tasks for increased efficiency and/or accuracy across US processes.
- Leverage AI-enabled tools and automation capabilities, including within FloQast, to enhance efficiency, improve process visibility and support continuous improvement across Finance operations.
- Assist the Group team with ad-hoc projects and tasks as required, demonstrating a self-motivated and forward-thinking approach.
Ideal background
To succeed in this unique Group role with a US focus, you must possess:
- Exposure to US federal and state tax regulations, with a working understanding of varying jurisdictional compliance requirements.
- 3-5 years previous experience in a global (or US) eCommerce, retail, or manufacturing industry is highly desirable.
- Degree qualified in accounting, finance or a related field (required). Current membership of an appropriate professional accounting organisation (required).
- AI-curious and AI-active, already using tools like Claude or similar to make your own work better, and excited to bring that mindset to a whole finance function.
- Builders' mentality - would rather rebuild a broken process than live with it. Sees continuous improvement as part of the job, not a side project.
- Demonstrated experience in problem solving to improve day-to-day workflows and uplift control environments.
- Strong commercial instincts and excellent stakeholder management — comfortable communicating technical accounting clearly to non-finance audiences.
- Strong attention to detail, self-motivated and forward thinking, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent working knowledge of Excel / GSheet and ERP systems (NetSuite experience a bonus).
Treehouse Perks and Privileges
Koala is only great when its employees are happy; and we’re one happy bunch!
- Hybrid working - We’re mixing it up with ~3 days back in the Alexandria Treehouse (office) and work from bed/home (WFB)
- Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced. Treehouse goods - Fully stocked kitchen with an emphasis on healthy local produce, think bougie brekky, salad bar, kombucha on tap, monthly barbies and more.
- Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouse is as pet-friendly as they get!
- Surprise & delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.
- Support & wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.
- Accelerate your career - via our Learning Management platform, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days.
- Community & connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding, 1% and so much more.
All in all, the Koala Community is a great place to hang out and belong to!
Why Join Koala?
At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We have no ego; we seek feedback that grows us; and we have a strong bias for action. We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always trying to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. Honesty and empathy drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what the bloody hell are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)
There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognise that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.
To read more, check out our careers, LinkedIn, or the great work we do with Work180.
