Senior Data and Analytics Specialist

• Max-term contract until June 2027 with hybrid work environment
• Contribute to an inclusive and collaborative culture
• Impactful work that helps make a difference to the Australian people

This role will support the Finance team by delivering high-quality analysis, system maintenance, and prototype development. This role requires a strong foundation in financial analysis, technical problem-solving, and system navigation, particularly within IBM Planning Analytics and the General Ledger (GL).

Your role:

Financial Analysis & Problem Solving:

• Perform detailed financial analysis to support strategic decision-making, budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking.
• Investigate and resolve data anomalies, variances, and inconsistencies across financial reports and systems.
• Apply critical thinking and analytical skills to identify root causes of issues and recommend actionable solutions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to interpret financial data and translate insights into meaningful business narratives.

System Navigation & Planning Analytics:

• Confidently navigate the General Ledger and IBM Planning Analytics to extract, validate, and manipulate financial data.
• Support the design and enhancement of financial models and reporting structures within Planning Analytics.
• Partner with IT and finance system administrators to ensure data integrity and system reliability.
• Assist in the automation of manual processes and development prototypes.

Excel Modelling & Prototype Development:

• Build robust Excel-based financial models and prototypes to support improvements across the planning, forecasting, and reporting processes.
• Ensure Excel models are well-structured and documented.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to test and refine prototypes.

System Maintenance & Support:

• Conduct monthly audits of financial systems to identify and resolve discrepancies.

• Support the Finance System Specialist in:

• Coordination of software updates, patches, and system enhancements; Monitor system performance and work with IT to optimize configurations.

• Maintenance of user-focused workflows, maintenance activities, and system changes.

Financial Reporting & Close Support:

• Prepare and deliver monthly financial reports with key metrics and variance analysis against budget and forecast.
• Respond to ad hoc reporting requests from senior stakeholders with timely, accurate insights.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including journal preparation, posting, and reconciliation.
• Ensure journal entries are properly documented, approved, and aligned with GL data.
• Assist in improving close processes and reporting workflows.

Process Improvement:

• Identify processes that can be automated and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline financial workflows and reduce manual processes.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal policies. Identify and mitigate financial risks through effective risk management strategies.

Technology and Process Improvement:

• Leverage financial software and tools to streamline accounting processes. Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements.

About You:

• Significant experience with the practical application of accounting principles and experience in financial modelling and analytical reporting.
• Demonstrated experience working with charge-back/cost-recovery/show-back models.
• Extensive experience in preparing, monitoring, and reporting of annual and project budgets.
• Experience with IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) or similar financial planning and reporting systems is highly desirable.
• Advanced knowledge and experience using budgeting and planning tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with budgeting and management reporting processes, including preparation of internal management reports.
• Advanced knowledge of management accounting methodologies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail and strong organisational skills.

Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualifications in accounting.
• Qualified member of a professional accounting body in Australia (or international equivalent).

Be More

Working for an organisation that truly makes a difference to the people of Australia, we can offer development and career opportunities in a collaborative environment that supports your growth, wellbeing and promotes flexibility. Your individual growth and success drives the RBA forward as an organisation. Be more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

Why RBA?
The RBA makes an important contribution to the Australian economy through the pursuit of national economic policy objectives and associated activities in financial markets and banking. We also issue Australia's banknotes and operate infrastructure critical to the payments system, all of which contribute to the welfare of the Australian people. Made up of specialists across a wide range of fields, our people, values, and culture play a critical role in achieving our objectives. Striving to be Open & Dynamic, we consider and incorporate different perspectives, work across teams and are transparent with each other, whilst delivering quality together effectively and focusing on outcomes by prioritising, testing, learning, and refining as we go. Our people conduct themselves with a high degree of integrity, while striving for excellence in the work they perform and the outcomes they achieve. We encourage intelligent inquiry and we treat one another with respect while promoting the public interest through our efforts. We know it is the growth and success of our people that drives the RBA forward. Come and make a bigger contribution while you build and develop your own skills too, because being more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse background, those living with a disability and from the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates.