Chief Finance Officer

Australian Fisheries Management Authority; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Fisheries Management Authority in Canberra, ACT, invites applications for an Executive Level 2 Chief Financial Officer. The role offers strategic financial leadership across budgeting, forecasting, reporting and procurement, backed by a strong team and governance focus.

The successful candidate will manage financial management functions, build relationships with central agencies and auditors, and drive continuous improvement within the Corporate Services Branch.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a Finance team with clear direction and accountability.
• Knowledge of APS Values and ethical standards is preferred.
• Ability to interpret, analyze and present financial information for complex options.
• Ability to build influential relationships with senior executives and auditors.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership and oversee budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Lead, develop and empower a high-performing Finance team.
• Manage procurement and provide advice on financial policy and contract management.
• Ensure governance, internal controls and continuous improvement across finance functions.
• Report to AFMA Executive and Audit & Risk Committee on financial management.

Skills

Finance leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Accounting/Finance/Commerce degree

Tools

Technology One

Advanced Microsoft Excel

Job description

Australian Fisheries Management Authority – Canberra ACT

$150,259 - $175,178 a year

Contract

4d ago , from Australian Fisheries Management Authority

• Finance Section | Corporate Services Branch
• Canberra | Nongoing

About AFMA

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) aims to provide ecologically sustainable and economically efficient Commonwealth fisheries, through understanding and monitoring Australia’s marine living resources and regulating and monitoring commercial fishing, including domestic licensing and deterrence of illegal foreign fishing.

About the branch

The Corporate Services Branch is responsible for enabling AFMA to deliver its regulatory and operational objectives through contemporary, sustainable and high-performing corporate services. Working in partnership with business areas across the agency, the branch provides leadership, advice and support across governance, finance, people, technology, legal, communications, property and security functions.

The branch plays a key role in strengthening organisational capability, improving planning and performance, supporting informed decision-making and driving continuous improvement across AFMA. Its focus is on delivering services that are practical, responsive and aligned to the agency's strategic priorities and workforce needs.

About the section

The Finance section delivers the following functions:

• Budget, Planning and Reporting to enhance the agency’s strategic delivery of its legislative requirements through activities including internal budgets, cost recovered budgets, external estimates processes, portfolio and central agency liaison.
• Financial Reporting to ensure quality, timely and accurate reporting to internal and external stakeholders through activities including Financial Statements, management reporting, Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) reporting, and reporting to AFMA’s audit and risk committee and Commission.
• Financial transaction processing and management to ensure the accurate, timely, efficient and legislatively compliant delivery of services including accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit card management, debtor management, tax (GST and FBT), general insurance, cash/appropriation and bank relationship management.
• Procurement expert advice on the financial framework, including Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Act and Rules, the Accountable Authority Instructions, AFMA financial delegations, procurement policy and process and reporting, panel arrangements and collaborative agreements.

• Executive Level 2 ($150,259 - $175,178)
• Finance Section | Corporate Services Branch
• Canberra | Nongoing

Executive Level 2 (10027)

Corporate Services Branch

Canberra

What you will do

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will provide strategic leadership, authoritative advice and deliver complex outcomes.

In addition to meeting the work level standards of the position classification, as the EL2, Chief Financial Officer, you will provide strategic financial leadership and shape organisational direction by:

• Managing AFMA’s:
  • financial management function including budgeting, cost recovery, forecasting and financial reporting processes and the publication of financial statements
  • operational accounting matters, including accounts payable and receivable, treasury functions, taxation, financial policies, and administration of the financial management information system (FMIS).
  • procurement function, which provides advice on all procurement and contract management activity within AFMA.
  • financial strategy in consultation with AFMA’s CEO and Senior Executives to ensure alignment with AFMA’s strategic priorities.
• Delivering high-quality advice and reporting to AFMA Executive and the members of the Audit & Risk Committee on financial management.
• Driving financial governance, internal controls and assurance frameworks, ensuring integrity, transparency and continuous improvement.
• Cultivating and managing strategic relationships with:
  • the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • the Department of Finance
  • the Australian National Audit Office
  • other key stakeholders.
• Leading, developing and empowering a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism and continuous improvement.

Capabilities & Experience

Our ideal candidate is someone who has:

• demonstrated experience providing leadership of a Finance team, setting clear direction and accountability to ensure delivery outcomes align with organisational and whole-of-government priorities.
• demonstrated experience leading and developing a team in accordance with APS Values, Employment Principles and ethical standards.
• technical accounting skills to enable interpretation, analysis and presentation of financial and other related information for use in solving complex problems or analysing complex options.
• the ability to build and maintain influential relations with senior executives, central agencies, auditors and key external stakeholders to support delivery of outcomes.
• excellent written and oral communication skills, along with the capacity to present credibility at senior-level forums.
• the ability to make well-reasoned decisions on complex matters, informed by risk, evidence and whole-of-organisation considerations.
• a continuous improvement approach to improving business services and outcomes for the agency.

Desirable Capabilities & Experience

• Experience leading complex financial projects and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience in Commonwealth Government financial management, cost recovery or regulatory charging activities.
• Experience with Technology One and Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for this role applicants must:

• be an Australian citizen;
• have tertiary qualifications in accounting, finance or commerce;
• be a member of a recognised professional accounting body (CA, CPA or equivalent)
• have the ability to obtain, and maintain, a Baseline security clearance;
• satisfy the requirements of an Australian Federal Police Check;

Notes

The current opportunity is non-ongoing for an initial period of up to 12‑months with the possibility of extension. There is a possibility that this position will become ongoing and this process may be used to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing roles in the future.

This position is located in Canberra, ACT. Successful applicants that are currently not based in Canberra must be willing to relocate to Canberra at their own expense.

The selection panel may intend to use Co-pilot to assist in creating the interview assessment commentary for the selection report. Selection panel members will take notes during the interview, with these combined and summarised by Co-pilot. The selection panel will review the proposed assessment commentary and amend if required, to reflect their assessment.

Applications for this role close at 11:59pm (AEST), Monday 5 October 2026.

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