Finance Officer

Australasian Railway Association; Canberra; On-site; AUD 40,000 - 56,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Canberra Airport parking

Weekly team lunch on Wednesdays

Regular opportunities to connect with

Job summary

Australasian Railway Association in Canberra seeks a Finance Officer for a Canberra-based, part-time role (20-22.5 hours per week). The role supports day-to-day finance operations within a small, collaborative team and reports to the Finance Manager.

You will handle accounts payable/receivable, payroll, reconciliations, and financial records, with opportunities to improve processes and contribute to budgeting and reporting.

Qualifications

• Practical experience in a finance and accounting, bookkeeping, accounts or similar role.
• Experience across accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and reconciliations.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accurate, complete and timely work.
• Confidence working with numbers, financial data and spreadsheets.
• Strong Excel skills and experience using accounting software, preferably Xero.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage routine deadlines and competing priorities.
• Clear and professional communication skills and a service-oriented approach.
• The ability to work independently within established processes and as part of a collaborative team.
• High standards of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.
• A positive attitude, willingness to learn and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Experience using membership, CRM or event management systems such as iMIS would be desirable but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day finance and accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking and reconciliations.
• Process fortnightly payroll and assist with payroll-related reconciliations, reporting and statutory requirements.
• Maintain accurate financial records, registers and supporting documentation.
• Support month-end, year-end, audit, budgeting and reporting activities.
• Respond to finance-related enquiries from members, suppliers and internal stakeholders in a professional and helpful manner.
• Work collaboratively with teams across the ARA to support accurate billing, revenue collection and efficient financial administration.
• Contribute to process improvement opportunities, including the use of systems, automation and AI where appropriate.

Skills

Finance & accounting

Accounts payable

Accounts receivable

Payroll

Reconciliations

Excel

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Tools

Xero

iMIS

Job description

Australasian Railway Association – Canberra ACT

Permanent Part-time | Canberra based | 20 - 22.5 hours per week (three full days or worked flexibly across four days)

Finance Officer

Reports to: Finance Manager

Location: Canberra
Please note: This is a Canberra-based role. Applications from interstate or international candidates will not be considered.

About the Australasian Railway Association

The Australasian Railway Association Limited (ARA) is the peak body for the rail sector in Australia and New Zealand. We represent 240 member organisations across the passenger, freight, infrastructure, contracting, manufacturing, supply and consulting sectors.

We are a small, collaborative and highly engaged team with a big purpose: supporting, advocating for and championing a thriving, sustainable and connected rail industry. Our members are at the heart of what we do, and our team plays an important role in delivering high-quality services, events, policy, advocacy and industry engagement.

At the ARA, we value being members first, keeping our eyes on the horizon, and being fun and focused the way we work together.

The ARA is seeking a Finance Officer to join our Canberra head office team three days per week. This is a new role and is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys practical, hands-on finance work and wants to contribute to an organisation that supports the growth and success of the rail industry across Australia and New Zealand.

The ARA is establishing a Branch operation in New Zealand with associated operational and financial reporting transactions.

The ARA also provides assistance and financial reporting support to the TrackSAFE Foundation Ltd, which is a harm prevention charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission.

Working closely with our Finance Manager and broader ARA team, you will support the smooth delivery of our day-to-day finance operations, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll processing, reconciliations, financial records and general finance administration.

About the role

Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Finance Officer will provide reliable and accurate support across the ARA’s finance function. The role is responsible for helping ensure financial transactions, payroll, reconciliations and records are processed efficiently, accurately and to a high standard.

This position will suit someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in detail, communicates well with internal and external stakeholders, and is comfortable working within established processes while looking for opportunities to improve the way things are done.

What you will do

In this role, you will:

• Support day-to-day finance and accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking and reconciliations.
• Process fortnightly payroll and assist with payroll-related reconciliations, reporting and statutory requirements.
• Maintain accurate financial records, registers and supporting documentation.
• Support month-end, year-end, audit, budgeting and reporting activities.
• Respond to finance-related enquiries from members, suppliers and internal stakeholders in a professional and helpful manner.
• Work collaboratively with teams across the ARA to support accurate billing, revenue collection and efficient financial administration.
• Contribute to process improvement opportunities, including the use of systems, automation and AI where appropriate.

About you

Are you a capable and detail-oriented finance and accounting professional looking for a flexible part-time role in a friendly, purpose-driven organisation.

You will bring:

• Practical experience in a finance and accounting, bookkeeping, accounts or similar role.
• Experience across accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and reconciliations.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accurate, complete and timely work.
• Confidence working with numbers, financial data and spreadsheets.
• Strong Excel skills and experience using accounting software, preferably Xero.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage routine deadlines and competing priorities.
• Clear and professional communication skills and a service-oriented approach.
• The ability to work independently within established processes and as part of a collaborative team.
• High standards of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.
• A positive attitude, willingness to learn and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Experience using membership, CRM or event management systems such as iMIS would be desirable but is not essential.

This is an opportunity to join a small, supportive and high-performing team where your contribution will be valued. You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, be part of a friendly Canberra office environment and contribute to work that supports a thriving, sustainable rail industry for Australia and New Zealand.

For Canberra-based team members, the ARA offers a collaborative office environment with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as key office days, paid Canberra Airport parking, weekly team lunch on Wednesdays and regular opportunities to connect with colleagues across the organisation.

• paid Canberra Airport parking
• weekly team lunch on Wednesdays
• regular opportunities to connect with colleagues across the organisation