Job Title : Financial Advisor

Company Name: Defence Australia

Job Details:  Financial Advisor | Defence Australia
8-10 minutes
About the job

The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

This is a unique opportunity to directly contribute to work that will impact Australia’s strategic and Defence outcomes, and the delivery of a capability that will play a key role in the defence of our country in the decades to come. The Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) Finance Branch supports the Chief Financial Officer and the ASA through the provision of expert strategic support and advice on the development of the acquisition, sustainment and disposal of nuclear-powered submarines (NPS).

To effectively support the ASA to deliver on their outcomes, we are seeking individuals who thrive in a high paced environment, can work independently and as part of a team, and have great interpersonal skills. As an APS6 working within the ASA Finance Branch, you will strengthen your leadership and technical skills, and be provided the opportunity to support entity and program wide decision-making through the development and implementation of processes to support the provision of accurate, timely, financial information and analysis.

We are seeking to fill a number of vacancies within the ASA Finance Branch across several disciplines including:

Budgets and Reporting
Cost Estimation and Assurance
Finance Business Partner
Financial Reporting and Policy
About our Team

As part of the Australian Submarine Agency you will be working at the cutting edge of capability delivery, supported by professionalisation pathways so you can continue to develop, along with unique and varied career opportunities. Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people. Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organisation seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. We are seeking motivated, enthusiastic and collaborative individuals with transferable skills to join us and contribute to our team. Successful candidates will demonstrate:

An understanding of the Commonwealth Financial and Budgeting Frameworks and the ability to work within relevant policy, legislation, and Commonwealth process.
The ability to establish and maintain internal and external relationships for finance related activities. This includes building a good rapport with relevant staff and supporting key business priorities, financial policies and procedures.
The ability to provide detailed professional financial and budgetary advice in relation to complex work and contribute to strategic planning, program and project management and policy development.
The ability to work independently with reasonable autonomy and accountability for the achievement of outcomes of their work. The successful applicants will exercise both initiative and judgement in the interpretation of relevant policy and the application of practices and procedures.
A demonstrated ability to build and supervise a small team through coaching, feedback and developing the quality of work undertaken by others within their team. They will be required contribute to the ASA and Finance Branch outcomes and provide support and guidance to peers.
Well-developed written and oral communication skills to professionally engage and manage internal and external stakeholder relationships and represent the ASA Finance Branch to support key business priorities, financial policies and process in relation to complex issues. They will be required to identify, anticipate and respond to stakeholders’ needs and expectations to achieve work unit and the ASA outcomes.
Well-developed time management and organisations skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage and monitor the day to day operations of a small team to deliver quality results within tight deadlines.
Willingness and drive to create a culture of continuous improvement within the ASA and self.
Professional membership of CPA Australia or CAANZ (or progress towards) is desirable.
In addition to the core APS 6 capabilities above, candidates will be considered for specific roles by demonstrating the following key technical skills relevant to the Directorate:

Budgets and Reporting

Experience in providing expert financial advice and guidance to support business groups and divisions develop and manage budgets and forward year financial plans.
Experience in the preparation of high quality, accurate and timely monthly financial reports and analysis to support executive decision making and government reporting.
Experience in drafting and supporting the development of Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES).
Experience in the preparation of high quality, accurate and timely monthly financial reports and analysis to support executive decision making and government reporting.
Cost Estimation and Assurance

Demonstrated experience in the use of life cycle cost estimation methods, risk and uncertainty analysis, data modelling, data analysis and financial forecasting techniques.
Demonstrated experience in providing cost estimation and modelling support in a project context, and an understanding of project management and control processes including Work Breakdown Structures, Scheduling and Risk Management.
The ability to develop and assure relevant program cost estimates and financial information for Executive Briefs and Cabinet Submissions.
The ability to prepare, provide advice and recommendations on project and program costs to management and government to support the decision making process.
The ability to provide expert costing policy, legislation and operating framework advice to all stakeholders.
Finance Business Partner

Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative Finance Business partnerships, including the provision of strategic financial advice, identification of financial risks and opportunities, and a sound understanding of commercial cost drivers and impacts on achievement.
Demonstrated ability to support business leads in the development of budget proposals and budget performance reviews, including reviewing current and planned contracts and agreements for financial impact of performance against schedule due to changes or delays (i.e. price escalation, indices contained within contracts, penalties);
Relevant experience in providing support on financial aspects of asset management including but not limited to asset reconciliations, maintenance of Asset Valuation Models (AVMs), Project Capitalisation Plans, asset rollouts and aged and uncleared balances.
Demonstrated experience in the preparation of briefs and reports which identify and provide recommendations to financial management issues and new proposals.
Financial Reporting and Policy

Demonstrated understanding of the Public Governance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and policy frameworks, supported with relevant expertise and technical knowledge to develop, manage and monitor the financial framework and associated financial policies.
Ability to support the development and implementation a financial literacy program across the organisation.
Relevant experience in the preparation of high quality, accurate financial statements that comply with the PGPA Act and Australian Accounting Standards. Including the experience to review quality assurance and analysis, monthly reconciliations and project management.
Demonstrated ability to undertake financial research and analysis, interpret complex accounting information to prepare written advice, technical papers, financial statements and reports.
Relevant skills and experience to interpret financial accounting policy and issues, and the ability to provide accurate and specialist advice, develop and support junior team members, and implement improvements to the overarching financial policy and process.
Application Closing Date: Monday 10 February 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/00489/25 on

defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=408D2D73-5481-A223-B6D2-E37C522079A0 |

Country: Australia