Organisation: Australian Research Council
Job Title: Australian Research Council
Word Limit: 400 words per point max
Location: ACT
Demonstrated understanding of the Government’s financial management framework, and
experience in budget development and the ongoing reporting and budget management
With demonstrated relevant experience in financial management and budget development, I have
also performed a vast array of research to inform myself in the Government’s financial
management framework in preparation for moving into a Government role. This has included
research and information on the differences between commercial and government budgeting and
funding as well as management accounting concepts. Working for the Housing Industry
Association a few years ago as an Accountant as well as dealing with the Department of Defence in
my role at Raytheon, has given me insight into how government financial management and
reporting is facilitated.
My experience and knowledge in senior accounting roles and therefore in budgetary reporting and
management is extensive. My current role demonstrates my experience in the preparation of
monthly and end-of-year reporting, adjustments and accruals, payroll tax for all five entities of the
organisation, as well as cash flow forecasting and monitoring. In addition, I am responsible for the
preparation of the monthly board meeting financial reports including a profit and loss statement,
balance sheet, cash flow statement and a range of other ad hoc reports and financial summaries.
In addition to running these reports, I have successfully improved the reporting process and
automated the accounting handling process.
Within my previous role at Melrose Automobiles, I was responsible for the preparation of financial
analysis and reporting for management regarding franchisees, BAS, PAYG and the company’s
financial performance as well as managing general balance sheet account reconciliations. I also
facilitated the end-of-month journals, adjustment and accruals, subsidiary ledgers and vehicle
control accounts. Financial statement preparation included preparing of the annual and monthly
financial statements including the preparation of ledgers management, payroll management and
financial reconciliations for clients, suppliers, creditor accounts and banking.
Previous to these two roles, I worked at Raytheon Australia as a contract financial analyst and the
Housing Industry Association. Within the HIA, I was exposed to government structure in terms of
their financial system, with strict charge coding, recurrent funding models as well as monthly
reconciliations, including balance sheet accounts, banks and accruals. Taking all of these roles into
account, I have demonstrated my ability to undertake not only budget development and
reporting, but also an array of other financially based tasks, as well as facilitating the successful
management of teams within the finance area.
Well-developed ability to present information clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing
and to convey technical concepts to a general audience
During my role with Melrose Automobiles, I have demonstrated my influential communication
skills along with the ability to ensure understanding from all parties. Within this role, I
communicated on a daily basis with the department managers in relation to their financial
position. Most of these department managers were non-accounting people and I ensured I
translated any technical accounting terms in ways they could easily understand. For example,
when I was explaining the process of depreciation, I needed to clearly explain the process as well
as ensure they understood the advantages of depreciation of vehicles.
Additionally, I liaised with the department managers about accrual accounting and why it needs to
be meticulously performed, explaining its purpose to account for upcoming payments and
accountabilities. Both of these highly technical accounting concepts are hard to understand for
those who are not accounting minded. However, I successfully managed to explain the terms
without unnecessary technical jargon, as well as gain compliance from the managers by conveying
this information.
In my current role, I use my communication skills to manage and supervise the assistant
accountant, the accounts payable officer and five other administrative staff. I ensure I talk to staff
members in a professional and friendly way and make myself approachable. Furthermore, I
endeavour to build rapport with the team, as a whole and with individuals. Recently joining this
organisation, I communicate with my team to not only build rapport, but also to engage the team
in ensuring productivity increases in processing financial paperwork. I have seen some positive
results within a short timeframe with this initiative and believe a large reason for this is that the
team feel included and involved in the process improvements they are undertaking. Part of this
successful communication is motivating the team to produce quality work and to take pride in its
success.
Currently, I see my role as not only ensuring the accounts are accurate and correctly managed, but
also to inform others around their responsibilities. In providing direction, I make sure that all in my
team understand basic concepts and are committed to adhering to budgets, and equipped with
the required information to ensure smooth processes and functions.
Ability to work with others in a small team with the capacity to take personal responsibility for
meeting objectives and delivering quality outcomes and responding positively and flexibly to
change and uncertainty
During my tenure with Raytheon Australia, I showcased my ability to take initiative and complete
tasks autonomously whilst ensuring ethical behaviour and conduct. I was required to adhere to
both the Australian Accounting Standards and the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(GAAP). Additionally, I used my skills to facilitate financial analyses, forecasting and budgeting.
Not only did I perform my role with limited supervision, I also managed a team of staff and
encouraged them to be autonomous within their roles as well. Part of this role was the facilitation
of forecasting for assets and although the team were working on this task, I took overall
responsibility for the outcomes and reports. I assisted the team in this task to ensure it was of a
high quality and would be delivered on time and took pride in the fact that we were successful in
doing so.
Responding positively to a change in staff numbers and allocation, during my role at the Housing
Industry Association (HIA), I planned an initiative to automate the month-end preparations and
monthly reconciliation process. Through the execution of this automated approach, the processing
time was significantly reduced, as well as resulting in the accuracy of the reconciliation process
being enhanced considerably, ensuring we could deliver quality outcomes with less staff.
Working within the private sector means adapting to changes in financial and taxation legislation
and guidelines with little or no support from elsewhere. It is often the company’s responsibility to
ensure they understand changes in legislation and how it affects their company. This responsibility
then falls to staff like myself to adapt to changes and market forces accordingly. As with my role at
the HIA, this often leads to a change in company structure and uncertainty around job security. I
have been in this situation more than once during my career and each time have responded
positively for both myself and my staff. This has included the above initiative to automate
processes, as well as numerous times where I have trained new staff or existing staff into new
roles. By training and mentoring these staff appropriately, I have taken responsibility for meeting
my team’s objectives and delivering quality outcomes.
Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills and the ability to explore new ideas
demonstrating creative approaches to achieving outcomes
Within both my current and previous role, I have been required to analyse and apply a range of
legislative requirements, including legislation around Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and taxation as well
as accounting standards and principles. My current role as finance manager means I am
responsible for ensuring accurate and evidence-based decisions and conclusions are made to solve
problems and explore new ideas.
During my role as assistant financial controller for Melrose Automobiles, there was a change in
legislation around the leasing of vehicles and novated leasing arrangements. This change, relating
to FBT requirements meant that a large amount of business people were no longer interested in
buying a car, as leasing arrangements were no longer available to them. This had and was going to
continue to cause a significant downturn in vehicle sales for the company and new initiatives
needed to be implemented as a result. A change in priority was discussed within the company as a
result of this significant market trend, and I both analysed and monitored how the change had
already, and would affect the organisation going forward. This information then formed the basis
for future decisions and strategies to be decided upon in light of the data.
The outcome which we were trying to achieve was to mitigate losses due to the legislation
changes and I used my initiative to start exploring new ideas to achieve this outcome. Specifically,
I provided an analysis report to the senior management of the company that determined a
possible change in a target market group, given the legislative modification and forecasting based
on focusing on other areas, including services. The priorities of the organisation altered to a more
service-based approach as a direct result of this adjustment, and gave us an alternative focus out
of the downturn in sales as well as providing much needed motivation for employees.
Eventually, because of a change of government not long after this change, the legislation reverted
back to the previous ruling and subsequently another strategy session was called. This meeting
reversed most of the recent decisions, however this made sense given the situation.
Demonstrated knowledge and capacity to apply the APS Values, Code of Conduct, workplace
diversity principles and work health and safety within a work and team environment
Having familiarised myself with the APS Values and Code of Conduct, I have found they mirror my
own values and professional conduct well. Originating from Malaysia myself, I currently work with
a broad diversity of colleagues and customers, with different backgrounds and cultures. This
diversity of people is indicative of our society and I welcome it. Within my current role, I have
dealings with a broad range of people from Australian to African, Chinese and Indian. I interact
well with people, including those from different background, cultures, religions or socio-economic
circumstances.
I take pride in my professional approach to my work and my ability to deliver for both internal and
external clients through a service mentality and proactive attitude to understand their
perspective. Through working and dealing with a diversity of clients and colleagues, I have a
commitment to equal employment opportunity in every sense of the phrase. I believe all
employees should be treated with respect, no matter their gender, background or culture and
would expect to be treated this way myself.
Working with large and a diverse range of organisations, I have both worked with and provided
customer service to a broad range of people. I have demonstrated respect for all people, no
matter their culture, background, gender or religion and have conducted myself with the highest
integrity in line with APS values and Code of Conduct Standards.
Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field and completion of or significant progress towards
professional qualifications (CPA or CA) would be highly regarded
As well as my current progression in my CPA studies, I also hold the following qualifications:
– Bachelor of Commerce (Major in Accounting), University of Canberra, 2006
– Diploma in Commerce (Major in Accounting), University of Canberra College, 2005
– Diploma in Business Study (Major in Accounting), Institute of Perkim Goon, 2003
