Senior Finance Officer - Various Roles

  Chief Operating Officer | Finance Division  | Management Accounting     The Finance Division is responsible for the overall financial management of the Department and is made up of:  

• Management Accounting Branch
• Financial Operations Branch; and
• External Budgets and Revenue Branch  

  Working in a high-profile portfolio, the Division routinely responds to Ministerial and Parliamentary queries, and works closely with the Department of Finance and other Commonwealth Agencies in relation to funding and resource management.    The Management Accounting Branch is responsible for internal budget allocations (departmental/administered and capital), internal management reporting and analysis, providing strategic advice to stakeholders through the Group Finance Partner network and delivering a strategic costing framework for the Portfolio.

The Department of Home Affairs is a CPA Recognised Employer Partner.    Please visit our website for more information about the Department of Home Affairs or Australian Border Force   Our ideal candidate   We are looking for competent professionals who have experience in a range of financial and/or budgetary roles with a good knowledge of the Commonwealth financial and/or budget framework and an understanding of a broad range of issues which impact on operational, corporate and policy areas of an organisation.

Our ideal candidate enjoys working in a rapidly evolving and forward-thinking environment. With a focus on innovation and progression, you will help to maintain and further develop our innovative processes. Whilst working in the Department you will be exposed to opportunities that can fast track your professional development, allowing you to excel within and outside of the Department.

The successful candidates will be self-driven and seek to directly influence the key outcomes of the organisation.

You will bring to the role a capacity to problem solve, build relationships through collaboration with a range of stakeholders, and manage competing priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail including:

• A demonstrated experience of strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysis, evaluation and/or decision making  
• An ability to manage multiple tasks and work within deadlines 
• An ability to work effectively as a part of a team with limited supervision
• Building collaborative partnerships with subject matter experts and stakeholders
• An ability to exercise sound judgement and to work quickly when required
• Strong written and oral communication skills including the ability to prepare and present information to Senior Executive and key stakeholders at various levels across the Department 
• An ability to mentor and coach staff (as required by the role/position)
• A strong focus on providing excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders. 

     About our roles   Group Finance Partner – Senior Finance Officer 

These roles offer work of high tactical importance to the Department, in a diverse, dynamic, and supportive branch. The positions work within small teams under the leadership of the relevant Group Finance Partner (GFP) Director and Finance Manager. These roles support the GFP Director and Senior Executive of both the Finance Division and wider department.       The main responsibilities included but are not limited to:

• Provide high level financial management advice and services to business clients, including budget development, financial reporting, financial analysis, forecasting, month end processing (accruals and journals) and reconciliations;
• Provide financial advice within the Departmental Financial Framework, as required
• Monitor financial performance including financial drivers and cost management options, and advise business areas including Senior Executive and internal stakeholders, both verbally and in writing
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients and external stakeholders, working in collaboration, and provide support and guidance
• Provide concise and targeted monthly management reports highlighting the financial performance of the Portfolio and its divisions
• Manage co-ordination of activities relating to expenditure, budgets, senate estimate and other ad-hoc corporate requests including creating complete and accurate records in accordance with relevant policy
• Promote and foster a working environment of continual improvement and innovation. 

Internal Budgets and Reporting Senior Finance Officer     The Internal Budgets and Reporting Section’s responsibilities include: managing the Department’s internal budget, including budget policy, budget allocation, controls and reporting; managing the Budgeting, Reporting and Costing System (BRACS) administration, development, education and training; providing financial management performance reports to the CFO and Executive; Senate Estimate Briefs; financial management advice; and, management of the Department’s strategic costing framework.     The position works within a small team with supervision from the Assistant Director of Internal Budgets and Reporting, to perform duties associated with the internal budget management and reporting function. The role includes producing content for the Executive Financial Report (EFR), liaising with various stakeholders monthly, contribution to briefs, responses to questions from parliamentarians and other agencies, and other analysis tasks relating to the department’s financial performance as required. The position will have a primary role in supporting any change management exercises that the department may undertake.     The main responsibilities included but are not limited to:

• Provide financial advice through contribution to the preparation of regular reporting to the Department’s Executives.
• Assist in preparing complex and/or sensitive correspondence, committee papers, submissions, briefs, answers to Parliamentary questions, notes on Cabinet Submissions, and advice for the Minister and Secretary
• Assist in the management of the internal budget cycle including the coordination of budget exercises/reviews and recommendations, focusing on continual development and improvement of the internal budget function within the Department
• Under supervision, undertake high-level and complex financial data analysis directly for stakeholders within the Finance Division (including the CFO) and for other stakeholders throughout the Department. 

Capital Investment Program – Senior Finance Officer     The Capital Investment Program team acts as the strategic link between Finance Division and the Department/ABF for capability development. The team provides financial support throughout the capability lifecycle, from investment proposal, through delivery, to eventual decommissioning. The team manages the annual Capital Investment Program (CIP) process which informs the allocation of Departmental Capital Budget to projects. The team is also heavily involved in project governance and assurance mechanisms, providing financial analysis to aid in the successful delivery of capital projects     Primary responsibilities include detailed independent analysis and advice in the establishment and ongoing management of departmental capital project budgets.      The main responsibilities included but are not limited to:

• Provide a range of financial services including management and co-ordination of end of month reporting and budget adjustments when required 
• Undertake financial analysis and reconciliation processes as directed (eg, financial analysis of End Project and End Stage Reports)
• Assess the financial impact of project Exception Reports
• Contribute to the assessment of investment proposals
• Use various communication means to liaise with a range of stakeholders and present financial information
• Provide general administrative and coordination support. 

    Additional information  

• Proficiency in the use of Excel and Word is essential
• Experience in the use of SAP and/or TM1 would be viewed favourably
• Tertiary Qualifications in Accounting or similar field, Project Accounting, CPA/CA (or working towards) are highly desirable but not essential for all roles.

  How to apply   Submit your application and CV through the Home Affairs’ recruitment system (ourPeople) before the closing date on 16/05/2024 at 11:59pm (midnight) AEST  – Late applications will not be accepted.   As part of your application you will be required to prepare and submit a one-page applicant response document in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

• Pease specify which role/s you are applying for
• How your skills, knowledge, and experience will be relevant to this role
• Why you are interested in the role and what you can offer us
• Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role

    Applicant response documents must be a minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format, include your full name and the Requisition Number – 131940 in the document footer.   Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership Systems information relevant to the classification.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance and an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).

Diversity and inclusion

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

Technical assistance

For technical enquiries please call or email for assistance:

Please include any applicable screen captures, a response will be provided during business hours.

Notes

The Department of Home Affairs offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.

The Department may provide relocation assistance to eligible APS employees required to relocate. The level of assistance will vary depending on the reason for relocating and your personal circumstances. For further information please enquire with the contact officer listed in the advertisement.

Candidates should be aware that in roles where vaccination against COVID-19 is required by public health orders/directions or other legislation proof of vaccination will be required. If a candidate is not fully vaccinated or is unwilling to be vaccinated within a reasonable time period, they may not be offered that role.