Organisation: Department of Treasury and Finance Darwin NT
Job Title: 2016 Treasury and Finance Graduate Program
Location: Darwin NT
SC1: Demonstrated analytical and research skills
As a Tax Consultant with H&R BLOCK Tax Accountants in Darwin where I worked between June and August 2013, I often liaised with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) assisting with audits of both large and small sized client businesses and processing personal client’s taxation requirements.
My clients were from a variety of industries including Nursing, Mining, Engineering and Medical professions. Evidence of my analytical and research skills was demonstrated in my capacity to formulate financial reports for each client displaying my understanding of entering accurate search criteria in order to present the required results for each particular scenario. These reports related to personal and financial client information around Centrelink benefits, payment summaries, study debts, vehicle log books and dependants which I used to produce reports for a variety stakeholder, including the client, the ATO and my senior management team.
Working alongside my management team and colleagues I was often called on to give a presentation on my findings, including the processes I used to produce the report–how I sought, investigated and collated the information to Directors, Senior Managers and external auditing companies.
Whilst studying the Advanced Diploma of Accounting at TAFE-NSW, North Sydney and the Bachelor of Accounting at Charles Darwin University, I successfully completed all required course units, including auditing and reporting on financial systems and records and evaluate an organisation’s financial performance, where I gained valuable skills in models of accounting, internal and external financial reporting, management and financial accounting, auditing, taxation, regulatory compliance, international accounting standards and an awareness of ethical issues.
Further evidence of my ability to apply this knowledge was demonstrated whilst studying with the Skilled Migration Internship Program for Accountants–CPA Australia (SMIPA), I was charged with producing an assignment displaying my knowledge around Australian workplace awards and my ability to effectively interpret and apply a variety of tools to produce accurate results for my clients. The job role scenario for my assignment was that of an Accountant, and I was required to produce a report detailing leave entitlement and their various types. I passed this module with ease and received very positive feedback from my lecturer’s indication my effective research and presentation skills.
In my current role as an Accounts Officer with Redco Investment, a property development and Management Company, I provide service to my clients from a range of industries including building, retail, hospitality and Government. I work extensively with both the Microsoft suite and the Attaché system, through which I collect, analyse and interpret data and update information to ensure that our client information is always current, accurate and relevant. I have developed partnerships in shared services arrangements, including areas of governance, mechanisms and partnership agreements, as well as worked across Information Technology (IT) projects leading change on technical solutions for our workplace.
My ability to understand and interpret information has been proven by my consistent positive results as indicted to me by my leaders and from feedback received by satisfied clients, demonstrating my effective analytical and research skills.
SC2: Ability to apply academic knowledge and concepts to practical situations
Whilst studying toward the Bachelor of Accounting at Charles Darwin University, Darwin I successfully completed many research projects that required high-level analytical skills and reference to legislation, policy and procedure, commercial and corporate law knowledge. I also stepped-up to a team leader/coordinator role for a study/project team–organising group project work to the satisfaction of my peers and supervisors. My ability to apply academic knowledge and concepts can also been seen in my thorough approach to collating and analysing data in order to provide accurate information via reports and presentations to all stakeholders including the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) throughout my role with H&R BLOCK Tax Accountants in Darwin.
Additionally, as part of my studies, I successfully completed subjects such as group dynamics, motivation, handling stress, communication, conflict, power, strategy, structure and change management and these tutorials emphasised the application of theories in the workplace, through the use of exercises and case studies. I have been able to put these skills into practice an example of which is my work with a business client at H&R BLOCK Tax Accountants in Darwin. This client had many interests–some of which could have been considered a conflict of interest. I was called on to advise him on the best way to set up his business accounting system and systems for his sole-trader activities. I advised that he would benefit from engaging a credit rating service to assist him in tracking the ability of his customers to pay their bills on time and to re-think his initial idea of becoming a personal guarantor for the company. I was able to give him some options he had not previously considered.
As a student and subsequent graduate of the Skilled Migration Internship Program for Accountants, CPA Australia (SMIPA) I learned how to apply my academic knowledge in an Australian business environment and work within Australian legislative requirements applicable to local workplaces and operations. Evidence of which has been demonstrated in my current role as an Accounts Officer with Redco Investment in managing payroll for a vast range of clients from the Hospitality industry including hotel, resorts and backpacker establishments. One particular client, a local resort, required rates of pay, correct awards and leave entitlements for a new resort receptionist and I was able to quickly glean the required information from the Fairwork Australia website, which is a skill I acquired during my study year with Skilled Migration Internship.
I draw on my personal and academic experiences in all situations, and aim to and identify and implement possible improvements and strive to continue to grow my knowledge base. Both my past and current employment roles have all relied on my ability to deliver required outcomes within tight timeframes under changing priorities, drawing on my academic knowledge and concepts and applying these to practical situations.
SC3: Ability to work as part of a team and organise own workload to meet deadlines
A natural leader in thought as well as in action, I am focused and confident, conceptualising new tactics and bringing ideas to life through designing the mechanisms for implementation and inspiring others to assume a group focused mentality whilst working together towards strategic goals. I am able to deliver results and bring issues to resolution. This capability was demonstrated whilst studying the Bachelor of Accounting at Charles Darwin University when I stepped-up into a leadership role for group projects coordination. For this voluntary role I was project managing study and practical task workloads for myself and a team of fellow students, often delegating individual responsibilities to my peers. To keep track of these projects and make certain that deadlines were met I created and managed an Excel spreadsheet to journal all of our required work. I monitored and updated keeping my fellow team mates informed of any movements and changes.
I am an open and effective communicator driven to provide clear information to my colleagues around competing deadlines and time availability. My organised approach in any environment makes me accessible to colleagues and assists me to keep tabs on personal workload deadlines. When working alone I am highly motivated, and perform both technical and administrative tasks with minimal instruction and supervision. In a group environment I find value from the input of my colleagues and appreciate the experience they bring.
As a Tax Consultant with H&R BLOCK Tax Accountants in Darwin, I created a spreadsheet detailing all personal and team related tasks, listing minor and major deadlines, clients and their existing and up‑coming projects including which team member was responsible for individual action points and daily task maintenance. I updated this spreadsheet on a daily basis. This tool has proven to be a highly successful project tracking tool and has assisted in building and maintaining relationships with a variety of stakeholders working on complex projects. I am proud to say that this has assisted all team members to clearly see their workload and priorities. My spreadsheet has been met with such a success that I have created the same for each of my subsequent positions.
My interpersonal style is friendly, approachable and inquisitive and I am able to effectively communicate professionally with all levels of staff, clients and stakeholders. I enjoy environments where input, accountability, information sharing and respect of each other is encouraged and expected. I have a natural ability to place people at ease and am confident that my helpful nature assists in a smooth and happy working environment.
I have consistent success in building and maintaining relationships with a variety of stakeholder through projects and programs I have conceived, led or implemented. This was demonstrated in a successful conclusion to the group study project I managed, whilst studying the Bachelor of Accounting at Charles Darwin University proving my ability to work as part of a team and organise own workload to meet deadlines.
SC4: Sound oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise and accurate reports
As a confident and experienced communicator, I present messages in a clear and concise manner, structuring written and oral communication to ensure clarity. I possess excellent communication and negotiation skills and am able to communicate at all levels.
During my employment with H&R BLOCK Tax Accountants in Darwin and Asian United Food Services I was called on to present findings to Directors, Senior Managers and external auditing company representatives. These findings included detailed information on the processes I utilised specific search criteria to produce reports–how I sought, investigated and collated the information. This information was communicated via various means including client meetings, email and PowerPoint presentations.
In my current role with Redco Investment I provide an information service to a variety of stakeholders making significant use of the company’s database for research and data entry to efficiently prepare ad-hoc and planned reports including auditing information. I take great pride in my ability to consistently provide accurate, relevant information that is easy to understand. My client base is formed by various types of establishments within the Hospitality industry including airlines and my communication can be with all levels of job roles within these businesses. I am required to be able to provide clear and concise information that is often of a confidential nature in an easy to understand format manner that leaves my client with the impression that I am confident and approachable.
I am often required to present detailed information on job awards, taxation rates and confidential payroll advice via email, over the phone and in face-to-face situations. I have received consistent positive feedback regarding my keen listening ability and my innate interpretation skills to easily obtain others’ requirements by asking detailed and specific questions based on their individual case.
When communicating via email or over the phone I regularly check that my communication is clear and that I am easy to understand. I also ask my colleagues to clarify any unclear instructions so that we are all on the same page and this removes possibilities of any miscommunication, ensuring monthly management and audit reports are completed by due dates.
SC5: Sound experience with standard office computing systems (Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook) or similar:
I have considerable end user experience with a range of business-centric systems, including the Microsoft office package particularly Outlook, Powerpoint and Excel. I predominantly utilise Outlook as an effective organisational tool to communicate my appointments and workload to team mates, arrange meetings and room bookings, to set reminder alarms for project updates thereby managing competing deadlines.
As an accounts payable/receivable officer with Asian United Food Services I used the Attaché system daily for data entry and reporting and to process collections, allocations of payments made by EFT, cheque, cash and credit card payments. In this position I also acted as team leader for a data clean-up project, leading a team in identifying entry double-ups and removing bad data to provide a more efficient streamlined content, which reduced time in providing accurate information quickly to both our senior team and client base.
With H&R BLOCK Tax Accountants in Darwin I used HandiTax for client information entry, to provide financial reporting information to my team leader and for processing tax returns for my clients. I was often required to access the ATO portal for cross checking both individual and business clients’ tax return information.
Having completed formal MYOB training with TAFE NSW, I am competent and experienced in identifying and analysing various business transactions, preparing financial reports for management and clients and preparation of balance sheets, income statements and various accounting ledgers. I am also competent in the use of the HandiSoft and CIS software packages having used both for processing/invoicing EFTPOS and cash payments. I enjoy learning to use new systems through formal training and am also capable of teaching myself to use new system via a product manual.
SC6: An ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures
As a graduate of the Skilled Migration Internship Program for Accountants–CPA Australia (SMIPA), I have current skills to actively participate in occupational safety, health and environment processes, work effectively within any organisation’s requirements, including those for equal employment opportunity and diversity.
I have a keen interest in learning about cultures and life experiences different to my own. I found University life to be a true multicultural experience. I am proud of the team leader role I held whilst studying the Bachelor of Accounting at Charles Darwin University designating and coordinating group projects for a study team. Often overseeing and organising tasks for a team of colleagues all from different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities including colleagues from China and India.
Our individual experiences attributed to successful outcomes and made this task a rewarding learning experience for me. I personally found our cultural diversity to be interesting, exciting and enlightening and look forward to continuing to learn about colleagues from all cultural backgrounds and walks of life and sharing my own personal experiences from my Nepalese background. I fully appreciate the richness of difference that exists in our human family and I empathise with all types of people.
Personal Qualities
Joining the Northern Territory Public Sector, appeals to me on many levels. From a personal perspective I have friends that currently work within the Public Sector are very happy with their career plans and future path, they are excited by the support they receive and seem highly satisfied with the amount and type of training opportunities available to them. They tell me that the Northern Territory Public Sector offers an enjoyable and collaborative environment along with a structured working each day that gives them the satisfaction of giving back to the community thorough the clients they service and the type of projects they complete.
I am confident that being accepted into the Department of Treasury and Finance Graduate program would afford me many training and personal development opportunities not available to me in the private sector.
I have many skills to bring to the Department of Treasury and Finance, including the ability to speak another language. My studies thus far included the completion of the Skilled Migration Internship Program and past employment roles. Having the opportunity to be part of a program that not only focuses on my personal development but also affords me the opportunity to support the community I live in whilst continuing to grow my professional knowledge base is one of security, learning excellence and future growth.
As for the future, I see continuous career and personal growth for myself and within the next three years see myself in a senior position acting as a subject matter expert, mentoring and supporting those starting out. Passing on my skills and continuing to learn and grow are both important to me as is sharing my personal development experiences and giving back to my community. I thoroughly look forward to sharing all that being part of Department of Treasury and Finance Graduate program has afforded me.
Communication
I am a naturally open communicator who displays a collaborative and professional approach and appreciates the point of view of all of those I come into contact with. I find new experiences as an opportunity to embrace personal growth and flourish in a continuous learning environment, where I am able to share my current professional and personal knowledge, utilise my sharp analytical skills and work cohesively with my clients, colleagues and leaders.
Appreciating the opportunity to engage in shared learning experiences with my peers and leaders is an attitude-based decision that has enhanced my interaction with my lecturers, work-based leaders and colleagues and I feel that my openness has encouraged and initiated smooth and fruitful communications in all areas of my life thus far.
My commitment to remain an integral contributor in a dynamic and purposeful team is evident in my enthusiasm for embracing the unique opportunities of the rotating work placements across various Treasury business units which I feel will offer a myriad of both person and professional opportunities.
Enthusiasm and Commitment
My commitment to complete delegated tasks or predefined deliverables successfully in a coordinated and organised manner whilst maintaining my keen enthusiasm and commitment for learning can be displayed in my dedication to my studies both with TAFE NSW and Charles Darwin University and the Skilled Migration Internship Program for Accountants.
I encourage and champion a supportive learning environment and display an acute understanding of the differences in skill and experience levels of staff across a business. I am particularly conscious of ensuring that any junior members of my team are appropriately nurtured and mentored and where practical, given opportunities to experience and participate in new projects.
My commitment is such that in order to achieve my academic and career goals I relocated to Australia from Nepal with therefore providing myself a clear career edge to further my studies giving and engaging in available international experiences and opportunities. By using initiative, personal motivation and commitment to myself and my end goal of a long, successful career embracing endless exciting opportunities, I have been able to achieve success thus far.
Challenge and Motivation
My own self-awareness and commitment to personal development is demonstrated through my dedication to my studies thus far and my thirst for knowledge within my chosen career. I challenge myself to continue to grow both professionally and personally, striving for further knowledge and experiences which will extend my skills.
It is important to me to ensure that I follow through and deliver on all requests made of me. My previous roles have been busy, with many competing concerns. I am adept at weighing the relative importance and urgency of tasks to ensure that I assign each the appropriate priority. I work as efficiently and multitask where applicable, to complete all actions in the shortest timeframe. Until I have completed an action requested by my leader it remains on my mental or written “to-do list”, and I manage my time as effectively as I can to allow outstanding items to be actioned.
I embrace challenge and change of all types which can be displayed in my ability to adapt to a new country whilst following my career goals and maintaining my academic results. I am flexible and welcome new environments and people.
To me, learning a new skill as an opportunity to expand my skill-set, open my mind to a new thought process and new personality types within my social circle. I see this attitude being the basis to advance to new and exciting career levels in the future and forming lasting friendships. I see challenge as an opportunity to improve myself and my working practices and change as the conduit to opportunity.
