At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Construction activities for the SKAO's telescopes in Australia and South Africa started in 2021, along with a ramping up of SKAO staff in both countries. It is expected that the transition from the Construction Phase to the Operations Phase will happen around 2028.
SKAO Operations in South Africa will be conducted in partnership with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). SKAO Operations in Australia will be conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Observatory will also partner closely with a global network of SKA Regional Centres through which astronomers will access science data products and a suite of tools and resources to further analyse the SKA telescopes' data.
The SKA Observatory offers a competitive salary and a generous pension and benefits package. As an employee of an intergovernmental organisation, an appointee who is not a national of the country in which the role is based may be subject to personal Privileges and Immunities.
The SKA-Low Financial Controller role is critical to the successful implementation and ongoing activities of SKAO. The role is the most senior Australia based finance role for SKAO and will report to the UK HQ-based Head of Finance for functional work management, and the SKA-Low Telescope Director for line management and operational work management, as a key internal stakeholder for the role. The SKA-Low Financial Controller will support the SKA-Low Senior Leadership Team, and forms part of the global Finance Leadership Team, helping to steer the strategy of SKAO and then ensure successful implementation at an operational level, ensuring budgetary control and compliance with policies and procedures is embedded throughout the Observatory.
This position is available on a full-time, or job share basis. We also support flexible hours working arrangements and note a level of flexibility will be required of the candidate to accommodate meetings outside the standard band of hours to reflect time zones of stakeholders, in particular SKAO in the UK and South Africa. The position will also require some domestic travel to Geraldton (approximately once per quarter) and infrequent international travel (approximately once per annum).
Both CSIRO and SKAO value and respect individual differences and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work.
The working language of SKAO is English, and the successful candidate will require excellent written and spoken English.
Responsible for the end-to-end management of the SKAO AUS financial ledger and all related monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting activities, the SKA-Low Financial Controller will provide accurate and timely financial reporting to the UK-based Head of Finance and Director of Finance, as well as to local management. The SKA-Low Financial Controller will also be required to contribute to and/or lead on financial projects which may require reporting and presenting to SKAO’s Finance Committee.
In Australia, SKAO is collaborating with CSIRO, the national science agency, to support the construction and operations of SKA-Low. SKAO operates a multi-currency, multi-ledger financial structure managed through a pseudo group reporting structure, with five ledgers being consolidated into one set of financial statements. The SKA-Low Financial Controller will manage the work of the Australia finance team and related activities on the AUS ledger. The role holder will also be responsible for the monthly payroll processing and regulatory reporting for SKAO AUS employees, with support provided by the SKAO Payroll Accountant and SKAO HR, as well as all ATO tax related activities.
The role would suit a candidate with experience of working in a small-medium finance team with experience of the full end-to-end management of and responsibility for an entire financial ledger, including reporting to regulatory and statutory authorities. The ideal candidate is somebody who has previously reported to a remote international group finance function and understands the importance of accurate and timely reporting. The candidate must have proven experience of self-motivating and prioritising conflicting deadlines to ensure that work is delivered on time.
The post holder will:
- Provide strategic inputs to the SKA-Low Senior Leadership Team and global Finance leadership team;
- Oversee the day-to-day work of the SKA-Low finance team, which includes staff from SKAO and CSIRO;
- Prepare the annual SKAO AUS ledger budget, working with members of the SKA-Low Senior Leadership Team, and support with inputs to budgets of other financial ledgers and consolidation as required;
- Prepare or review all SKAO AUS financial ledger postings (accruals, prepayments, payroll etc) and be responsible for the monthly management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and cash flow forecasting, including relevant commentary and answering associated queries from group finance and the SKA-Low Telescope Director;
- Ensure that SKAO AUS payroll reporting obligations are met, such as reviewing monthly payroll calculation for SKAO Australia employees, submission of super etc, working with external payroll processor and SKAO Payroll Accountant and HR;
- Be responsible for the Australia GST reclaim process, building and maintaining strong external stakeholder relationships such as with DFAT and the ATO concerning employment tax, customs, and GST claims and queries,
- Build and maintain relationships with CSIRO in relation to the SKA-Low partnership and other contracts and associated billing;
- Review and approve AUS ledger requisitions and purchase orders, supplier invoices, expense claims, credit card applications, credit card claims and reconciliations, and perform bank authorisations as required in line with the internal delegation of authority;
- Prepare and/or present reports to the SKAO Finance Committee as required, on topics such as Consolidated Management Accounts, Revenue, Budgets, Cashflow, or on finance project outcomes;
- Lead and deliver complex finance-focussed projects, and act as finance subject matter expert on other cross-functional projects as requested;
- Lead and deliver finance-focussed SKA-Low leadership team projects, and act as the Finance expert for broader SKA-Low leadership team projects, supporting and ensuring successful implementation of these projects;
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to SKAO global finance policies and procedures, as requested by the Head of Finance;
- Act as main point of contact for any queries relating to the SKAO annual external audit and any internal audits of the finance and procurement processes in Australia;
- Support CSIRO with queries arising from external audit or internal audit;
- Support SKAO HQ with the preparation of SKAO’s annual financial statements;
- Work closely with the local procurement team to ensure that the procure-to-pay cycle operates efficiently and effectively in Australia;
- Work alongside the SKA-Low Legal Manager on financial matters;
- Work alongside the SKAO ERP System Manager to continuously improve the ERP system finance processes and controls;
- Support the Head of Finance and Director of Finance by monitoring changes in IFRS accounting standards, and Australian regulatory changes, and planning for any necessary accounting changes;
- Train finance and non-finance staff as required;
- Travel as required; and
- Undertake any other reasonable duties, such as assisting with other business systems, as directed by the Head of Finance, SKA-Low Telescope Director, or Director of Finance.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:
- CCAB accounting qualification (CA / CPA / ACCA / ACA preferred) or working towards qualification with significant experience (typical at least 7 years) in finance roles;
- Experience of end-to-end management and responsibility for a whole financial ledger including reporting to regulatory and statutory authorities;
- Knowledge of and experience of accounting under IFRS accounting standards;
- A demonstrated record of leading a small team, promoting diversity and developing an inclusive, high-performing culture aiming for continuous improvement;
- High level of business-wide commercial acumen, demonstrated through delivery of challenging cross-functional projects;
- Strong attention to detail, both in preparing own work and reviewing work of others to ensure a high standard of accuracy;
- A self-motivated problem solver with ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to deadlines, managing projects through to completion;
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint.
- Experience writing formal governance papers and presenting at Board level;
- Experience of remotely reporting to an international group finance function;
- Experience within a multi-currency ERP system environment;
- Experience of reporting to and co-ordinating activities with colleagues who are working remotely, ideally both locally and internationally.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.
Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.
Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.
Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.
SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.
The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.
