The Role
This role provides an opportunity to review, analyse and report on complex activities' and financial impact as part of the annual financial statements, whilst managing an integrated workforce. To ensure compliance and effective resource management, the role will require extensive knowledge of financial reporting frameworks including Australian Accounting Standards, government decision-making and Defence’s mission and policies requirements.
Your role as an EL 2 Director in the Budgets and Financial Services Division would include:
* Providing leadership and direction to ensure the delivery of quality financial reporting for Defence and entities who receive financial reporting services under the shared services arrangement offered by Defence. This includes managing monthly and annual financial statements activities.
* Managing and leading a diverse and integrated team, including providing clear and consistent communication, setting clear performance and behavioural standards, managing performance, delegating responsibility and guiding and developing people.
* Managing financial governance requirements and compliance with the financial management framework, including liaison with the Australian National Audit Office on the delivery of the financial statements audit.
* Building enduring relationships with stakeholders and subject matter experts to deliver financial reporting outcomes, including the resolution of financial statement related audit findings.
* Assessing and evaluating financial management strategy, initiatives, projects, policy and procedures and providing accounting advice where necessary, including the development of accounting policies and position papers.
* Identify risks and opportunities for continuous improvement for the delivery of Defence financial reporting obligations.
About our Team
This position reports to the Assistance Secretary Financial Compliance. The Financial Compliance Branch operates within the Budgets and Financial Services Division and supports the Department of Defence by providing a framework of financial policies and advice to support staff in exercising their financial responsibilities.
There are a broad range of specialised financial activities undertaken within the Financial Compliance Branch including Financial Reporting and Asset Accounting, Financial Policy, Financial Compliance, Financial Learning, Travel Policy and Tax Management.
The Finance Accounting Directorate plays a vital role in managing the external financial reporting obligations for Defence. The teams help to ensure that the organisation can provide complete and accurate accounts that withstand audit scrutiny and provides the basis to inform government on Defence financial management.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate is an experienced leader with a passion for helping your team and their stakeholders deliver high quality financial information. You have a naturally influential communication style and the ability to build robust relationships. Your experience has given you the ability to lead a team in a demanding and time sensitive environment to produce quality deliverables and to work closely with other areas to create a shared sense of purpose. You are a highly capable planner and project manager who takes a strategic outlook when aligning team activities to organisational goals and objectives.
Other competencies we are targeting include:
* Professional accounting qualifications (CAANZ / CPA).
* Demonstrated ability to drive sustainable change collaboratively across an organisation and externally.
* Experience building and maintaining relationships with a network of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
* Improvement focus, strong results orientation, and seeks to add value through improving processes and systems.
This important leadership role will be ideally suited to professionals who not only want to apply their expertise, but also want to proactively influence significant change. It is an exciting time for Defence Finance Group – if you are a leader in the above expertise, who can inspire and influence – now is the right time to come and be part of our team.
Application Closing Date: Thursday 5 March 2026
For further information please review the job information pack, reference DFG/00927/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=6E483A0A-4ADE-C996-E1B6-ECA995035466