Who we are looking for
1. Governance & Resource Management Group / Financial Analysis, Reporting & Management Division / Accounting & Framework Branch
2. Executive Level 1 ($117,538 - $142,337) | Ongoing | Full-time
3. Canberra, ACT
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for motivated accountants to work at the EL1 level who are eager to strengthen their professional skills and influence the Australian Government’s decision-making by providing high quality financial management, analysis and advice across government.
Financial Management of the Australian Government requires a diversity of people and skills: you should be interested in assisting with the development of public policy, value quality in your work, be looking to expand your skills set and experience and enjoy working in a fast-paced, high profile environment.
They key duties of the position include:
4. developing and updating guidance material and training for Australian Government entities on financial reporting and budget frameworks
5. analysing and interpreting trends and movements in financial data
6. providing stewardship of the accounting and finance profession across the Commonwealth public service
7. analysing and interpreting accounting standards and other guidance to provide timely and accurate advice to stakeholders and
8. leading coordination of a range of administrative tasks, as required.
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
9. a record of success - being results driven and outcomes focussed
10. the ability to proactively gather and analyse information to produce high quality advice
11. problem-solving abilities based on a questioning mind and an ability to think laterally
12. flexibility and willingness to apply themselves to tasks and successfully manage competing deadlines
13. an ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment to achieve high-quality shared outcomes and
14. effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
Successful applicants will ideally be CPA or CA qualified and have experience in financial reporting, in particular, assisting in the preparation of entity financial statements.
Australian citizenship and a baseline security clearance is required for this role.
WHY JOIN OUR TEAM As your accounting and finance career in the APS progresses, you benefit from a wide range of skills and experiences. Successful applicants will have opportunities to gain skills and experience that enhance their future career:
15. Gain central agency experience where you will help us positively influence the development and implementation of the Government’s strategic financial policy priorities.
16. Access to diverse career advancement pathways, including in broadening and developing of skills and experience in accounting and finance, generous learning and development including assistance for further studies. We support all staff to seek further education opportunities and offer generous support through financial assistance, and study leave for staff studying related disciplines (for example Finance and Accounting, CPA and CA ANZ) at Graduate and post‑graduate levels and pay for professional memberships.
17. Be coached, mentored and developed by our senior staff and cultivate strong working relationships across Government and at senior levels to build your professional network.
18. Gain a sophisticated understanding of the Machinery of Government, the Federal Budget and related processes.
19. Enhance financial management/analysis skills, including at a whole-of government level
The policy skills and financial management capabilities you will develop and practice in Finance are highly valued and readily transferrable to a range of future career opportunities across the public and private sectors.
ABOUT THE DIVISION AND BRANCH
A role in Financial Analysis, Reporting and Management (FARM) division presents an exciting opportunity to be part of a division at the forefront of shaping financial management and accounting policy advice to the Australian Government, preparing whole of government Budget estimates and the management of the Commonwealth’s Official Public Account (the Commonwealth’s central bank account). This is a unique opportunity to develop a set of skills which are highly valued and sought after in the government as well as in the private sector.
FARM is a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about what we do. We are a diverse and supportive team that works collaboratively, are willing to go the extra mile to help others, celebrate our differences and value each other’s contributions. Our work is performed across the following three branches:
20. Accounting and Frameworks Branch
21. Estimates and Reporting Branch
22. Financial Management Branch
The Accounting and Frameworks Branch
The Accounting and Frameworks Branch (the Branch) works closely with other areas of the department and external stakeholders to provide high quality, timely and relevant policy and guidance, advice and stewardship.
The Branch supports Commonwealth entities in meeting their statutory budgetary and financial reporting obligations, including responsibility for updating legislative instruments and providing guidance materials and accounting related technical advice to support Commonwealth reporting entities preparing their annual financial statements. The Branch, in collaboration with other Australian jurisdictions, also liaises with domestic and international accounting standard setters in developing and maintaining the financial reporting framework for the public sector.
DETAILED VACANCY INFORMATION
For detailed information about these roles, including the job specific capabilities, please refer to the downloadable vacancy pack, which can be accessed by clicking the hyperlink at the bottom of this page.
ELIGIBILITY ADVICE & CANDIDATE NOTES
23. Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
24. Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated in the downloadable job pack. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.