APS6/EL1 External Budgets Officer

HorizonOne Recruitment Pty; Canberra; On-site; AUD 103,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

HorizonOne Recruitment Pty is seeking a government accountant to lead external and capital budget processes within the Commonwealth Budget cycle in Canberra. You will advise senior stakeholders with clear, evidence-based costings and maintain CBMS budgets.

The role demands CA/CPA qualification (completed or underway), strong budgeting experience, and excellence in communication. Contract through August 2027, Canberra-based.

Qualifications

• Degree in accounting, commerce or business, with CA/CPA (completed or underway) or equivalent experience.
• Strong external budgeting experience with Australian Government financial framework.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Advise business units on NPP costings and justifications.
• Lead external and capital budget processes and CBMS budgets.
• Prepare Budget publications (PBS/PAES) and support internal capital planning.
• Manage Actuals reporting in CBMS and respond to Estimates Memoranda.

Skills

External budgeting experience

Analytical

Stakeholder management

Written and verbal communication

Education

Accounting degree

Tools

CBMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client is a highly respected Commonwealth agency whose work tackles real-world challenges and delivers lasting benefits for the Australian community, economy and environment. Its Finance team provides the advice and insight that helps the organisation direct its resources to where they have the greatest impact.

The Opportunity

This is a labour hire contract until August 2027, with the possibility of extension. You’ll lead the organisation’s external and capital budget processes within the Commonwealth Budget cycle, and be a trusted source of budget advice for business units and senior management.

• Own the external Budget cycle end to end, from NPP costings through to the PBS and PAES.
• Work on high-profile matters, including Senate Estimates briefs and Ministerial submissions.
• Lead improvements to external budget tools, systems and operating procedures.
• Build your profile by training and developing staff across the finance function.

The Role

Your key duties will include:

• Advising business units on New Policy Proposal (NPP) costings and justifications
• Leading the external and capital budget processes, and maintaining external budgets in CBMS
• Preparing Budget publications, including the PBS and PAES, and supporting internal capital planning
• Managing Actuals reporting in CBMS and coordinated responses to Estimates Memoranda
• Advising on the Budget Process Operational Rules, the Resource Management Framework and Senate Estimates briefs
• Refreshing external budget procedures and training staff across the finance team

The Ideal Person

You’re a government accountant who knows the Commonwealth Budget cycle inside out, from NPP costings to Budget papers. You’re sharp with numbers, calm under deadline pressure and confident giving clear, evidence-based advice to senior stakeholders.

You’ll bring:

• A degree in accounting, commerce or business, plus CA/CPA (completed or underway) or equivalent experience
• External budgeting experience and a solid grasp of the Australian Government financial framework
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• CBMS and Microsoft Office proficiency

Due to the nature of work, candidate must be Australian Citizens to be considered.

Salary

• $75/hr – $95/hr + Super
• Contract until August 2027, with the possibility of extension
• Canberra-based

HorizonOne is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and we encourage applications from people of all cultures, capabilities and backgrounds.