The Bureau of Meteorology is seeking a highly motivated and driven team player, who enjoys working in a rapidly evolving and forward‑thinking environment.
Our ideal candidate will have strong financial and accounting expertise, excellent communication skills, an ability to build positive working relationships with stakeholders and have a strong capacity to manage competing tasks. You will be a fast learner, who can also use their current skill set to contribute to new ideas and improvements.
Reporting to the Finance Business Partner Lead, this role is act as the key point of contact for finance related activity, including timely and accurate reporting and analysis, insight, and advice to assist with decision making.
A critical part of the role is developing a rapport with relevant Bureau staff to communicate financial information in plain English, providing advice and ensuring compliance with relevant government policies and accounting standards.
Development and maintenance of mutually beneficial relationships across the Bureau are essential to building trust and confidence in the occupant of this role. The successful candidate will bring confident communications skills, expertise in Commonwealth government financial frameworks, deep understanding of budgets, forecasts, variance reporting, financial management and leadership.
The key duties of the position include:
As an Executive Level 1 employee you would generally be required to undertake work that is very complex or sensitive and operate under broad direction. The responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
1. Provide leadership and direction to team members especially in the delivery of business partner services.
2. Provide expert financial advice and guidance to the Group Executive, General Managers and Managers in the development of their annual budget and forward year financial plans.
3. Engage and collaborate with relevant executive staff to ensure a clear understanding of financial impact to the organisation as a result of recommendations and decisions.
4. Foster and maintain internal and external relationships to act as the key point of contact for finance related activity. This includes building a good rapport with relevant staff and understanding of key business priorities and financial policies and procedures.
5. Preparation of high quality, accurate and timely financial reports and information for decision making including but not limited to monthly financial reports and variances, acquittals and returns, and project reporting. This extends to operational and capital funding.
6. Maintain and validate the accuracy of financial data in the Financial Management Information System including but not limited to budgets, forecasts, actuals, phasing for both operational and capital purposes.
7. Collect, analyse, monitor, interpret data and information, and make recommendations to ensure key financial outcomes and process improvements are achieved.
8. Manage compliance with corporate financial control requirements to assist with the delivery of effective financial control, financial risks mitigation and budgeting.
9. Develop and deliver regular and ad hoc training on financial related activities including but not limited to financial management and relevant system training (e.g. budgeting templates)
10. Provide expertise and advice relating to the analysis and interpretation of business performance ensuring strong management accounting emphasis.
11. Develop and improve work processes and activities, ensuring compliance with public sector legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks relating to financial management.
12. Identify opportunities to improve business processes and enabling technology to realise efficiencies in the services provided by the Finance team.
13. Build capability in a team environment through coaching others, providing performance feedback, conflict resolution and encouraging career development.
14. Implement and maintain continuous improvement within the Business Partnering team.
15. Work collaboratively and cooperatively with other members of the Finance team ensuring the finance function is maintained as a single function providing consistent advice.
16. Complying with all Bureau work, health and safety policies and procedures, and taking reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of employees, contractors and visitors who may be affected by your conduct.
Eligibility
· A degree or diploma of an Australian educational institution, which is appropriate to the duties (e.g. Bachelor of Accounting and Finance) is required. CA, CPA or equivalent qualification and accounting experience is preferred.
· Ability to lead and develop finance teams to deliver quality outcomes aligned with strategic objectives, while managing competing priorities and strict deadlines.
· Strong analytical skills with the ability to organise, analyse and disseminate information with strong attention to detail and accuracy
· Extensive knowledge of financial management, accounting principles and standards, budgeting processes and/or Federal Government procurement regulations/frameworks
· Strong communication skills (oral and written) and stakeholder management skills with the ability to positively influence key organisational stakeholders
· Experience in using Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS – SAP desirable), and Microsoft products (i.e. Power BI, Excel, Word etc)
Getting to know the Bureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology is one of the few organisations that touches the lives of all Australians and all Australia, every day. The Bureau works across Australia and remote islands, providing services from the Antarctic to beyond the equator, and from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. We are Australia's national weather, climate and water agency, in the Agriculture, Water and Environment portfolio of the Australian Government, operating under the authority of the Meteorology Act 1955 and the Water Act 2007. We provide data, information, knowledge, insight and wisdom to help Australians prepare and respond to the realities of their natural environment, including droughts, floods, fires, storms, tsunami and tropical cyclones. Our products and services include observations, forecasts, analysis and advice covering Australia's atmosphere, water, oceans and space environments. We undertake focused scientific research in support of our operations and services. Through regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring and advice, we provide one of Australia's most fundamental and widely used public services. We have strong relationships with our customers, partners and stakeholders in Australia, including the Australian Community and the emergency services sectors, all-levels of Government, and focus sectors including aviation, agriculture, energy and resources, national security and water.