Job description
Agency Department of Children and Families Work unit Financial Services
Job title Principal Finance Officer Designation Administrative Officer 7
Job type Full time Duration Ongoing
Salary $117,356 - $126,251 Location Darwin
Position number 35110 RTF 346664 Closing 05/05/2026
Contact officer Monica Lin on 08 8992 7557 or
About the agency https://families.nt.gov.au
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=346664
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with
disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss
this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Primary objective
Provide senior‑level financial leadership and specialist expertise to support the Director of Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer.
Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial information across a complex shared services environment. Deliver authoritative
advice and oversight across operational accounting and government financial systems. Build capability and support sound financial
governance across supported agencies.
Context statement
The Financial Services unit has a shared service arrangement supporting the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the
Department of People, Sport, and Culture (DPSC)’s financial operational, governance and compliance obligations, including emergency
welfare responses. The DCF also operates within the Domestic and Family Violence Risk Assessment Management Framework (RAMF).
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Lead and oversee operational accounting functions, including accounts payable and receivable, ledger management, debt recovery,
and payment performance, ensuring compliance with legislative and policy requirements.
2. Ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial data and statutory reporting through effective reconciliation, analysis, system controls
and oversight of government financial systems and interfaces.
3. Provide authoritative financial advice, analysis, and high‑level reporting to senior management, supporting informed decision‑making,
performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
4. Maintain strong financial governance and internal control frameworks, including management of registers, compliance with banking
and credit card requirements, and coordination of internal and external audits.
5. Lead, mentor, and develop a multi‑level finance team, allocating work, monitoring performance, building capability, and delivering
high‑quality shared financial services.
6. Engage proactively with stakeholders and contribute to agency‑wide and interagency initiatives, including system enhancements,
process redesign, policy development, and strategic projects...
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Demonstrated high‑level knowledge of public sector financial management, or the ability to acquire, including relevant legislation,
Treasurer’s Directions, accounting standards, financial governance frameworks, delegations, and audit requirements.
2. Extensive experience in operational accounting and financial systems, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, ledger
management, reconciliations, and statutory reporting, with strong understanding of integrated government finance systems (e.g. GAS,
CARE/LIFT, Expense8 and related systems).
3. Proven ability to provide authoritative, evidence‑based financial advice to senior executives and stakeholders on complex, non‑routine
accounting, compliance, system, and financial performance matters.
4. Strong leadership and people management capability, with demonstrated experience leading, mentoring and developing a multi‑level
team, managing performance, workloads, and service delivery in a high‑pressure environment.
5. Highly developed analytical, problem‑solving and communication skills, including the ability to interpret complex financial and system
data, identify risks and trends, and clearly convey technical information to non‑financial audiences.
6. Demonstrated capability to lead and drive continuous improvement in financial processes and systems, including systemic issue
resolution, control design, and contribution to cross‑agency projects and change initiatives.
Desirable
1. Relevant qualifications and professional capability, including tertiary qualifications in accounting, finance, or a related discipline.
Further information
The successful applicant will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Card (Ochre Card) and may be required to undergo a check
of police criminal history and probity. Position may require the ability to work rostered shifts to coincide with emergency management
response and other at-risk activity.