**Position Overview**
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has primary responsibility for delivering high quality and timely financial accounting services and ensuring robust controls are in place while enabling a platform for business insights and value add for the Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the National Native Title Tribunal.
This role works strategically to align the Court's financial activities to the longer term corporate strategy and objectives, and provides timely financial and budgetary advice and insight to senior leaders and the Chief Justice, based on sound financial analysis, modelling and planning.
**Duties and accountabilities**
- Provide leadership, direction and management of court-wide financial functions including leading the Corporate Services Finance team to deliver high quality, effective and effective services to the Courts including the provision of strategic advice, management reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking expense management, capital projects, risk and asset management.
- Develop and implement improved decision making processes, systems and practices that support integrated planning, risk and performance management and consideration of future financial risks and benefits, including financial reporting, policies, standards, systems and processes.
- Operate an efficient and effective function for financial planning, budget development, management reporting, modelling and forecasting to monitor and provide strategic and operational advice to senior leaders on financial performance and effectiveness against corporate strategy and objectives.
- Ensure sound financial governance, internal controls, data integrity and organisation-wide compliance with finance and risk policies and procedures and ensure any identified risks and recommendations are implemented on a timely basis. Ensure financial frameworks comply with relevant legislation and best practice and are regularly monitored and reviewed for effectiveness across the courts.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with management across the Courts by providing advice and support underpinning key decisions and strategic planning, including providing pro-active and effective professional support and advice to key court committees, including the Finance and Audit committees.
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with the Attorney-General's Department, the Australian National Audit Office and the Department of Finance to ensure the courts are keeping pace with Government policy, changes to relevant legislation, accounting standards and other requirements.
- Preparation of external reporting as required including financial estimates for submission to the Department of Finance, Senate Estimates Committee, the preparation of new policy proposals (NPPs), inclusion in the Court's Portfolio Budget Statements and for the Annual Report.
- As a senior member of Corporate Services, contribute to, develop and implement agreed strategies as part of Registry and Corporate Services business planning.
- Oversee and enhance the management and operation of the Court's financial and risk management systems including FMIS, payroll HRIS, point of sale, case management, e-filing payment and banking systems to ensure integrity and appropriate interface of data and to ensure they meet operational requirements and efficiencies.
- Ensure a high level of user competence for the use of financial and risk management systems by providing suitable training, and for FMIS, maintenance of training manuals and user guides.
- Actively participate in and contribute to organisational change initiatives including pursuing opportunities for continual improvement for effectiveness of the Courts financial services.
**Competencies & Attributes**
- The position requires extensive accounting and financial management experience, in particular in the preparation, maintenance and review of budgets.
- Experience at a senior level in managing an organisation's financial resources and financial management information system.
- Knowledge of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and its related Regulations and Orders.
- Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation, accounting standards and government requirements. Experience in preparation/analysis of financial statements.
- Highly developed analytical and problem solving skills to define issues, develop options, assess feasibility and determine the best course of action given resource and other constraints.
- High level of initiative, particularly in an environment of ongoing change
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills to deal with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds.
- High-level people management skills to lead a team of finance staff, assessing performance and identifying training and development needs.
- Excellent communication skills, including negotiation and influencing skills to deal with internal a
📌 Ses 1 - Chief Financial Officer
🏢 Federal Court of Australia
📍 Sydney