Australian High Commission Hiring for Finance Assistant – LE3 – London Job at London, England Full Time

About the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.

The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.

About the Position

London is the Regional Corporate Services Delivery Hub for the European region and this position, under the direction of the Financial Operations Supervisor and working alongside a team of Finance Officers and Finance Assistants is responsible for delivering accounts receivable and cashier activities and providing practical finance support and advice to clients across the region. Working alongside the London Hub teams this position will also be responsible for contributing to the corporate modernisation agenda, delivering process improvements and efficient enabling services to clients.

The position is required to carry out duties in line with current legislation and policies including the DFAT Finance Management Manual, Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Act and the Privacy Act, as well as relevant local legislation. The position holder must also be aware of the sensitive nature of the information and material handled by the team.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Receive, receipt, keep in safe custody and bank all public monies received by the High Commission.
• Ensure that there is sufficient money in the Mission’s bank account prior to authorising requests for withdrawals.
• Process electronic payment of invoices, salaries and other payment through the BACs system.
• Process petty cash claims and manage the petty cash float.
• Assist with the management of advances and debtors, including dispatching of invoices, collecting and receipting debts and ensuring that acquittals and repayments are made within specified timeframes.
• Provide advice to staff and assist with booking travel for staff via the High Commission’s travel management company.
• Process travel allowances and assist with acquittal upon return.
• Process medical claims and school fees for A-based staff in accordance with departmental policy.
• Assist with managing DFAT’s representation budget by providing advice to staff on representation policy and ensuring allowances, advances and acquittals are processed in a timely manner and in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Create and maintain records for all Accounts Payable Vendors and Accounts Receivable Customers.
• Accurate and timely filing and record keeping of financial documentation.
• Assist with the preparation and processing of End of Month Schedules.

Skills/Experience

Essential:

• Relevant foundation level accounting qualification or equivalent level experience
• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Excel up to an intermediate level
• Proven aptitude for numerical reasoning
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient administration and organisational skills as well as being able to collate information for reporting purposes
• Ability to multi task and prioritise and manage varied workload is essential
• Prior experience working in a professional office environment

Desirable:

• Experience using a Financial Management Information System such as SAP
• Relevant qualifications or working towards qualifications such as AAT

Selection Criteria

Please address each of the selection criteria for the role in the spaces provided on the application form. Drawing on your prior experience, please provide examples of where you have demonstrated the required competencies or transferable skills.

The word limit is strictly 250 words per response. The panel will not assess responses that exceed the word limit.

A. Proven experience as a Finance Assistant, Junior Accountant or Accounts Administration and how your prior experience and qualifications will be relevant in performing this role.

B. Demonstrated ability to provide accurate and timely information with attention to detail to meet deadlines and achieve results.

C. Excellent organisational skills, ability to set priorities, show initiative and manage multiple tasks to completion.

D. Proficiency with numbers and figures, analytical acumen, and experience working with financial management information system such as SAP and/or Microsoft Excel.

E. Ability to exercise good judgement and provide practical and tailored advice and solutions in accordance with relevant legislation and policies.

F. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively liaise with, and advise, a diverse range of clients across all levels of the organisation.

An exciting opportunity with the Australian High Commission, London, for an experienced and highly motivated Finance Assistant to join a growing Finance team.