- APS 6
- $99,734 - $111,701 per annum plus 15.4% Superannuation
- Canberra and Melbourne
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is seeking an experienced and high performing candidate to fill the role of Senior Financial Management Accountant. The role is available as an ongoing opportunity and a merit pool will be created to use in filling any similar future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies.
Our ideal candidate is someone who demonstrates experience and knowledge in exercising sound technical accounting expertise, has good interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills, as well as the ability to coach and develop team members.
What we offer
What truly makes us a great place to work? It is our highly engaging, inclusive and supportive culture. With an outstanding 85% response rate,* our staff told us they feel pride in their work (89%), are committed to our goals (92%), and value our leadership and communication. We are leading the way in employee engagement, innovation, and wellbeing support—making NHMRC not just a workplace, but a community where people thrive. *according to our recent 2024–25 APS Census results.
Our roles come with broad responsibilities and minimal hierarchy, making it easier to get things done. You will be part of a small, inclusive, and high performing team with a strong, supportive culture.
We offer:
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A truly flexible workplace culture.
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A dynamic, diverse and supportive team across Melbourne and Canberra.
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Wellbeing programs including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year and a workplace that genuinely cares.
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Generous recreational leave, personal leave, cultural leave, parental leave and paid end-of-year shutdown.
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Study assistance and professional development opportunities that align with your career goals.
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Opportunities to be trusted to lead high value projects with the freedom to innovate and the support to grow.
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Strategic exposure where you can engage directly with senior leaders and contribute to decisions that shape our future direction.
Remuneration
$99,734 - $111,701 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
Job specific duties
The Finance section manages a range of financial functions including statutory and internal reporting, the end of month accounting process, external and internal budgets, financial analysis, procurement support and financial compliance.
The Senior Financial Management Accountant is responsible for ensuring that NHMRC’s financial governance and financial literacy is strong. The Senior Financial Management Accountant will play a supportive role in preparing NHMRC’s internal budget, including project management reporting and costing activities. A key monthly activity will be the preparation of the monthly budget variance reporting for NHMRC’s business areas and supporting the Assistant Director to increase financial literacy across the agency. The Senior Financial Management Accountant is also responsible for supporting NHMRC’s implementation of improvements to ensure efficient and innovative financial governance and reporting.
Primary outcomes and accountabilities will include:
- Internal budget allocations and reporting – Preparing the internal budgeting allocations, through liaison with business areas and recording these in the FMIS. Preparing the monthly executive variance report for business areas, recommending improvements to reporting which supports clear financial management messaging to Executive.
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Investment projects – Manage the project budget for the NHMRC investments, ensuring relevant supporting documents are accurate and the information is provided in a timely manner to the Project leads and managers.
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Portfolio project office reporting – Managing the secretariate function of the Portfolio project office and provide Secretariate support to the Portfolio Investment Committee.
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Internal budget Policy – Preparing updates to internal budget policies and procedures, templates and guidance.
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Financial literacy – Support the Assistant Director to embed financial literacy in the agency through co-ordination of presentations to stakeholders.
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Managing staff – Developing team capability through coaching, training and mentoring junior staff within the finance section.
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Other Tasks – Providing backup and/or support to other functions in the Finance section.
Core capabilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:
- excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to draft high quality documents, provide advice, and communicate persuasively to a range of audiences and proven ability to:
- provide advice and/or make decisions that are based on professional judgement and evaluate risks in the context of a complex and changing environment
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effectively manage staff performance and behaviours
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use sound judgement and critical thinking skills, recognise interconnected issues to draw accurate, evidence-based conclusions
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analyse and interpret information and provide clear and succinct advice
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build productive and collaborative relationships with team members and stakeholders, anticipate needs and expectations
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manage completing priorities, progress work even in challenging circumstances, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, escalating risks and issues with solutions to address them
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respond in a positive and flexible manner to change and uncertainty and assist teams to work through change.
Highly desirable
The following qualifications, demonstrated knowledge and experience will be highly regarded:
- Accounting profession CPA or CA qualifications
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Knowledge of financial information management systems
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Demonstrated experience using and maintaining financial/budgeting systems (e.g. SAP and/or TM1)
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Understanding of the Central Budget Management System (CBMS)
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Demonstrated excel modelling skills
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Significant government financial experience.
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Knowledge of and experience in Commonwealth Public Sector financial accounting framework
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Good communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to implement and track work processes, keeping lines of communication open at all times
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A high level of attention to detail.
Mandatory requirements
The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.
Further information
For further information contact Jenny Jacobs on 02 6217 9380 or email
[email protected].
Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment
Candidates should familiarise themselves with the Australian Public Service Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment as they guide the ethical, responsible and transparent use of AI tools by candidates engaging in APS recruitment processes. These principles are designed to ensure that the use of AI tools by candidates aligns with the expectations outlined in the APS Values and Employment Principles and maintains the integrity of recruitment decisions and outcomes.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a position at NHMRC, you must be an Australian citizen and be able to provide evidence of this. If successful, you will also be required to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
How to apply
You must submit a completed online application form with your Resume prior to the closing date and time.
NHMRC is an inclusive and diverse employer that supports gender equity and diversity in leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including People with Disability, First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, mature age people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Applications close
7 PM AEST Tuesday 7 July 2026
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