Finance Officer

Application Pack

Finance Officer

APS Level 6

Ongoing Full-time

$77,912 to $88,620

This is an Affirmative Measures opportunity open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander people only

Who we are
We are Australia’s only national institution focused exclusively on the diverse history,
cultures, and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia. We house the
world’s most important and extensive collection of cultural information and material and
we provide leadership, publish and promote greater understanding and appreciation of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We create opportunities for people the
world over to engage with and be transformed by the knowledge, the culture and the
story of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. We are Australia’s national institution for
leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

What we do

We care for a priceless collection, including films, photographs, video and audio
recordings as well as the world’s largest collection of printed and other resource
materials for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies. We undertake and encourage
scholarly, ethical, community-based research in a variety of sectors, including health,
native title, languages and education. Our publishing house, Aboriginal Studies Press,
regularly publishes outstanding writing that promotes Australian Indigenous cultures.
Our activities affirm and raise awareness of the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.

What we are trying to achieve

Our functions are established under the_ Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres _
- Strait Islander Studies Act 1989_.

These functions are to:
develop, preserve and provide access to a national collection of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage;
use that national collection to strengthen and promote knowledge and
understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage;
provide leadership in the fields of:

- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research; and
- ethics and protocols for research, and other activities relating to
collections, related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
use (including use for research) of that national collection and other
collections containing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and
heritage;
lead and promote collaborations and partnerships among the academic, research,
non-government, business and government sectors and Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples in support of the other functions of the Institute;

provide advice to the Commonwealth on the situation and status of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

We are an Australian Government statutory authority. The Minister responsible for
AIATSIS is the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, Minister for Indigenous Australians, and it sits within
the portfolio of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

About the Program Area
The Business Services Team contributes to the operational and long-term sustainability of
the Institute. The Financial Reporting, Financial Budget, Facilities and Security teams work
independently and cooperatively, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer.***

About the Role***

The Finance Team is responsible for the financial management of AIATSIS including
internal financial control, Accountable Authority Instructions and financial delegations,
administrative procedures, accounts payable and receivable, asset management, and
external and internal budgeting and reporting.

The position sits within a small team delivering financial activities. The team is
committed to providing excellent, client focussed services to our staff and customers. The
successful applicant will need to demonstrate strong coordination, liaison and
relationship management skills. They will demonstrate technical capability and sound
judgement, including the ability to improve and streamline business processes.

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Reporting.

The key responsibilities of the role include: 

assisting in the preparation of the financial statements and reports including
content for the Annual Report 

overseeing the month end reporting process including preparing and reviewing
month end journals, reconciliations and variance reports 

providing data to assist in the preparation of the Audit Assurance Committee
and Council papers and Portfolio Budget Statements 

supporting the team in preparation of day-to-day finance activities including
accounts payable, receivable, travel, asset management, capital-spending
program, budgeting 

performing quality assurance processes over financial and procurement activity
is accurately recorded and is consistent with contracts, budgets, guidelines and
accounting standards 

assisting with system implementation changes and business improvement
activities 

producing structured and ad-hoc