Financial Accountant

Georges River Council; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 87,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work

12% superannuation

9-day fortnight

4 weeks annual leave

1 week MyLeave

14 weeks parental leave

Long service leave after 5 years

Fitness Passport

Sponsored Study Program

Employee Rewards Program

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Georges River Council is seeking a Financial Accountant to support financial integrity, compliance, and reporting obligations for the council. Reporting to the Head of Financial Management, you will ensure accurate financial reporting, GL integrity, grant and asset accounting, and preparation of statutory financial statements.

You will provide professional financial advice to stakeholders, contribute to internal controls, assist with audits, and support banking, receipting and reconciliations.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Commerce, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience in an Assistant Accountant, Financial Accountant, or similar accounting role.
• Sound knowledge of financial accounting principles, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations.
• Experience administering grants and accounting for grant income and expenditure incl. AASB 1058 and AASB 15.
• Experience in fixed asset accounting including asset capitalisation, depreciation, disposals and asset reporting.
• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and ability to build stakeholder relationships.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office applications.
• Commitment to CPD and keeping up to date with accounting standards and local government practice.
• Knowledge of Office of Local Government reporting requirements and local government legislation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain accurate financial records and reporting in line with legislation and policies.
• Perform general ledger reconciliations and ensure data integrity.
• Assist with monthly, annual and statutory financial reporting including financial statements.
• Monitor and reconcile grants register and grant compliance.
• Support fixed assets accounting: capitalisation, depreciation, disposals and valuations.
• Review capital project expenditure and WIP for timely capitalisation and closure.
• Provide financial advice and recommendations to management and stakeholders.
• Contribute to finance policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Assist with internal and external audit activities and respond to findings.
• Provide support across banking, receipting and reconciliations as required.

Skills

Organisational skills

Time management

Verbal communication

Written communication

Excel proficiency

Education

Accounting/Commerce degree

Related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Office suite

Job description

As Financial Accountant, you will play a key role in supporting Council's financial integrity, compliance, and reporting obligations. Reporting to the Head of Financial Management, you will work within a collaborative finance team to ensure the application of sound financial management principles and the transparent reporting of Council's financial performance.

This role is responsible for delivering accurate financial reporting, maintaining the integrity of Council's general ledger, supporting grant and asset accounting, and contributing to the preparation of statutory financial statements. You will also provide professional financial advice to stakeholders and help maintain a strong financial control environment across Council.

Key accountabilities:

• Prepare and maintain accurate financial records and reporting in accordance with relevant legislation, accounting standards, Office of Local Government requirements and Council policies.
• Perform general ledger reconciliations and ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial data.
• Assist with the preparation of monthly, annual and statutory financial reporting, including Annual Financial Statements and supporting disclosures.
• Monitor and reconcile Council's grants register, ensuring compliance with funding agreements and accounting standards.
• Support the accounting and management of Council's fixed assets, including capitalisation, depreciation, disposals and asset revaluations.
• Review capital project expenditure and work-in-progress balances to support timely project capitalisation and closure.
• Provide financial advice, support and recommendations to management and internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and review of finance policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Assist with internal and external audit activities and ensure the timely resolution of audit requests and findings.
• Provide support across key finance functions, including banking, receipting and reconciliations, as required.

What We Offer

• Permanent full time | 35 hours per week
• Salary range $87,352.30 to $101,210.82 per annum, plus 12% superannuation
• Council benefits include:
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work (after probation), flexible start and finish times, and the option of a 9-day fortnight
• Generous leave entitlements, including 4 weeks annual leave, 1-week MyLeave (supporting your health and wellbeing) and 14 weeks parental leave
• Long service leave after 5 years
• Access to Fitness Passport for you and your family
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities, including a Sponsored Study Program
• Employee Rewards Program
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program
• A supportive and collaborative team environment

What We Are Looking For

We're seeking a motivated and detail-oriented finance professional who can contribute to the delivery of high-quality financial management and reporting services. To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Commerce, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience in an Assistant Accountant, Financial Accountant, or similar accounting role.
• Sound knowledge of financial accounting principles, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations, with the ability to deliver accurate and timely financial outcomes.
• Experience administering grants and accounting for grant income and expenditure in accordance with relevant accounting standards, including AASB 1058 and AASB 15.
• Experience in fixed asset accounting, including asset capitalisation, depreciation, disposals, and asset reporting.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain financial information and build effective working relationships with stakeholders.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining current knowledge of accounting standards, legislative requirements, and local government practices.
• Knowledge of Office of Local Government financial reporting requirements and applicable local government legislation.

For further information, please contact Scott Henwood, Chief Financial Officer, on 9330 6107 or download the Position Description.