Finance Officer

Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-Time Position

NFP Salary Packaging up to $15,900

Ongoing professional development

Job summary

Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation seeks a Finance Officer to provide financial admin support to the Finance Manager. You will process AP/AR, assist with month-end, and maintain accurate records in a culturally respectful environment.

The role requires experience with ANZ accounting practices, proficiency in MS Office, and demonstrated integrity and teamwork within a multidisciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in end-to-end AP/AR processing.
• Knowledge of general ledger and reconciliations.
• Ability to maintain accurate financial records with audit trails.
• Familiarity with privacy requirements and record retention.

Responsibilities

• Process accounts payable transactions and supplier payments with accurate GL coding.
• Manage accounts receivable, issue invoices and allocate receipts.
• Maintain supplier and debtor master data and respond to queries.
• Support month-end close, reconciliations and reporting.
• Provide payroll backup and general finance support.
• Promote compliance with internal controls and policies.

Skills

Aboriginal cultures knowledge

Accounts payable/receivable

GL accounting basics

Accounting software

MS Office

Team collaboration

Education

Accounting or Bookkeeping qualification

Tools

Employment Hero

MYOB

Xero

Lightyear

Job description

Ngwala Willumbong is a leading provider of culturally safe and effective support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to supporting individuals affected by alcohol and other drug misuse, providing them with pathways to recovery through holistic and culturally appropriate rehabilitation programs.

Employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People at Ngwala is essential to maintaining culturally aligned services. We STRONGLY encourage Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this role and others as they become available.

About the Role

The Finance Officer will provide accounting and financial administrative support to the Finance Manager, ensuring all financial transactions are accurately recorded, processed in a timely manner, and comply with company policies and procedures. The role will also involve reviewing and analysing financial data, maintaining accurate financial records, and supporting the preparation of financial reports to ensure compliance with relevant reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable

• Process accounts payable transactions, including verifying supplier invoices, applying accurate general ledger (GL) codes, preparing electronic payment batches and issuing remittance advices.
• Prepare supplier payments in accordance with agreed payment terms, identify duplicate or unusual transactions, and ensure all payments are supported by appropriate documentation.
• Establish new supplier accounts and maintain accurate supplier master data, including verifying Australian Business Number (ABN) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration details.
• Independently verify authorised requests to establish or amend supplier banking details in accordance with established internal controls and verification procedures.
• Reconcile supplier statements and investigate and resolve discrepancies, outstanding invoices and payment queries.
• Communicate professionally and promptly with suppliers and vendors to resolve invoice discrepancies, payment issues and general enquiries.

Accounts Receivable

• Process accounts receivable transactions, including issuing invoices, allocating receipts and maintaining accurate debtor records.
• Monitor debtor ageing reports and follow up overdue accounts promptly, professionally and in a culturally respectful manner.
• Investigate and resolve billing discrepancies and payment allocation issues, maintain records of collection activities, and elevate material or long-outstanding debts to the Finance Manager.
• Respond to accounts receivable enquiries and liaise with relevant stakeholders to resolve outstanding matters in a timely manner.

Records Management, Compliance and Internal Controls

• Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date electronic financial records and audit trails for invoices, approvals, receipts, reconciliations, payment batches and financial correspondence.
• Ensure financial documentation is managed in accordance with organisational policies, privacy requirements and applicable record-retention obligations.
• Adhere to established financial delegations, approval processes and internal controls when processing transactions and maintaining supplier and debtor records.
• Identify and report discrepancies, control weaknesses or potential compliance issues to the Finance Manager in a timely manner.

Financial Reporting and Month-End Support

• Prepare accounts payable and accounts receivable reports, including creditor and debtor ageing reports, outstanding items and supporting schedules.
• Compile and analyse financial data to produce accurate and timely reports for internal stakeholders, management, funding requirements and external audits.
• Support month-end financial processes by ensuring transactions are accurately recorded and relevant reconciliations and supporting schedules are completed within agreed deadlines.
• Assist with the review of financial information to identify discrepancies, investigate variances and support accurate financial reporting.

Payroll and General Finance Support

• Provide backup support for the fortnightly payroll process as directed, including checking approved payroll inputs and maintaining appropriate supporting documentation.
• Provide general finance and administrative support as required, including assisting with reconciliations, financial reporting and other finance team activities.

General Duties

• Undertake additional responsibilities as reasonably directed by the Executive Team.
• Attend and actively participate in internal and external meetings as required.
• Understand, comply with and promote Ngwala's policies and procedures.
• Participate in performance appraisals and contribute to ongoing performance improvement.

Professional Development and Continuous Quality Improvement

• Participate in continuous quality improvement (CQI) evaluations, initiatives and activities.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, staff training and training needs assessments.
• Identify opportunities to develop professional skills and contribute to improved work practices and service delivery.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

• Perform duties in a safe and responsible manner and encourage colleagues to maintain a safe working environment.
• Understand and comply with occupational health and safety (OH&S), health and wellbeing policies, procedures and relevant legislative requirements.
• Promptly report all workplace incidents, hazards and injuries to the relevant manager in accordance with organisational procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Perform the physical requirements of the position, which may include driving, prolonged periods of sitting, operating office equipment, climbing stairs and occasional lifting.
• Assess physical tasks appropriately and only undertake duties that can be performed safely, seeking assistance or adjustments where required.

Teamwork and Agency Representation

• Maintain professional boundaries and uphold confidentiality when interacting with colleagues, clients and external stakeholders.
• Represent and promote Ngwala and its programs in a professional, respectful and high-quality manner.
• Treat colleagues, clients and stakeholders with respect and escalation concerns in accordance with Ngwala's grievance policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate Ngwala's values through professional conduct and interactions with colleagues, clients and other stakeholders.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative, culturally safe and supportive workplace.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal cultures, with a commitment to working respectfully and effectively within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
• Two to three years of experience in accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.
• Demonstrated experience in end-to-end accounts payable and accounts receivable processing.
• Working knowledge of general ledger accounts, account reconciliations and fundamental financial accounting principles.
• Experience using Employment Hero, MYOB and/or Xero, and Lightyear.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant financial and administrative systems.
• Strong organisational, time management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness and ability to support and contribute to the organisation's vision, purpose and core values.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships across the organisation and with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated integrity, attention to detail, initiative and commitment to maintaining accurate and confidential financial records.
• Compassion, cultural awareness and a willingness to learn, develop professionally and contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal cultures, with a commitment to working respectfully and effectively within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
• Two to three years of experience in accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Demonstrated experience in end-to-end accounts payable and accounts receivable processing.
• Working knowledge of general ledger accounts, account reconciliations and fundamental financial accounting principles.
• Experience using Employment Hero, MYOB and/or Xero, and Lightyear.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant financial and administrative systems.
• Strong organisational, time management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness and ability to contribute to the organisation’s vision, purpose and core values.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships across the organisation while working effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated compassion, integrity, attention to detail and a willingness to learn and undertake ongoing professional development.

Mandatory Requirements

• Formal qualification in Accounting or Bookkeeping and/or relevant training and experience
• Current Victorian Driver’s License
• Satisfactory Police Check
• Current Working with Children Check

What We Offer

• Full-Time Position
• SCHADS Social and Community Services Level 3
• NFP Salary Packaging Benefits up to $15,900
• An opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• A supportive and culturally inclusive work environment.
• Ongoing professional development and training.

For further information, please contact ***********@ngwala.org.au

*Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit pre-employment checks including a Police Check (no older than 3 months), Victorian Employment Working with Children Check, Health Declaration and/or a medical check as well as right to work in Australia Check.