Finance Officer

Department of Finance; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Finance in Canberra invites applications for a Financial Analysis, Reporting and Management role. The position contributes to shaping accounting policy advice for the Australian Government, including superannuation and investment funds management, and the Commonwealth’s central account.

You will join a diverse, collaborative team and have opportunities to build skills in financial data interpretation, reporting, and policy development, with support for professional

Qualifications

• Australian citizenship is required to be employed in the APS unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a baseline security clearance prior to commencement.
• RecruitAbility applies; reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed with you.

Responsibilities

• Build practical experience interpreting whole-of-government financial data to support advice and decision‑making.
• Advise on budget strategy and the Australian Government’s financial frameworks.
• Strengthen your financial reporting skills by contributing to the Australian Government’s financial statements.
• Contribute to the stewardship of the accounting and finance profession across the Australian Public Service.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high‑quality outcomes.
• Be supported to pursue professional qualifications (CA ANZ, CPA) through mentoring.

Job description

A role in Financial Analysis, Reporting and Management (FARM) presents an exciting opportunity to be part of a team at the forefront of shaping financial management and accounting policy advice to the Australian Government including on its multibillion-dollar superannuation and investment funds 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:

Accounting and Frameworks Branch

The Accounting and Frameworks Branch is responsible for supporting Commonwealth entities to meet 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 to prepare their annual financial statements. The Branch supports the development of the Budget and Consolidated Financial Statements and leads advice on financial frameworks including for accounting policy, budget, and charging. The Branch supports the accounting and finance profession across the APS, focusing on recruitment, attraction, talent and professional development for accounting and finance professionals.

Estimates and Reporting Branch

The Estimates and Reporting Branch is responsible for the preparation of and advice to the Finance Minister and Government on whole-of-government financial statements and other financial information for all annual estimates and actuals updates, including for budget publications. The Branch produces the annual Consolidated Financial Statements and the Australian Government’s General Government Sector Monthly Financial Statements and provides advice on the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Government Finance Statistics.

Financial Management Branch

The Financial Management Branch is responsible for appropriation management including arranging annual and special appropriations and maintaining of their records, Commonwealth Cash Management, provision of advice and oversight on the appropriations framework and retainable receipts, foreign exchange risk management, development of Budget Paper No. 4, and provision of advice and support for Machinery of Government Changes.

The key duties of the position include:

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We are looking for people who will champion our inclusive, curious and empowered culture, are able to align to our Departmental priorities, who seize opportunities presented by change and are able to identify and lead innovation and continuous improvement in the workplace. Working with us you will have the opportunity to:

• build practical experience interpreting whole-of-government financial data to support advice and decision-making
• advise on budget strategy and the Australian Government’s financial frameworks
• strengthen your financial reporting skills by contributing to the preparation of the Australian Government’s financial statements
• contribute to the stewardship of the accounting and finance profession across the Australian Public Service
• work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-quality outcomes
• be supported to pursue professional qualifications in accounting and finance, including being mentored by experienced Chartered Accountants (CA ANZ) and Certified Practising Accountants (CPA).

DETAILED VACANCY INFORMATION

For detailed information about this role, including the job specific capabilities, please refer to the downloadable vacancy pack

Eligibility

• 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.
• 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. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.
• RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activities for the vacancy if you choose to opt-in to the scheme, declare you have a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed in consultation with you. Further information can be found at https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

Getting to know the Department of Finance

As a central agency of the Australian Government, the Department of Finance (Finance) plays an important role in assisting government across a wide range of policy areas to ensure its outcomes are met. Finance supports the government's ongoing priorities through the Budget process and fosters leading practice through the public sector resource management, governance and accountability frameworks. Finance plays a leading role in advising the government on many of its strategic priorities. We do this through our professional and considered approach to providing advice, developing policy, delivering services and engaging with our clients and stakeholders. Finance's key areas of focus are:- Budget- Business Enabling Services- Commercial- Governance and Resource Management