Job Title: Finance Officer
Word Limit: 2 Pages
As an accomplished Finance Supervisor with Public Safety Business Agency, please accept my application for the currently advertised position of Finance Officer within The Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland.
As demonstrated by my career history, I possess 10 years of invaluable experience working in various Finance and Procurement positions and am confident I will deliver the high-level results this role demands. Holding a Bachelor of International Business from Queensland University of Technology in 1999, I am committed to continued significant professional development. Obtaining a portfolio of related industry certifications, I have also acquired a Masters of Professional Accounting via Queensland University of Technology in 2010.
An open and effective communicator, I am driven to provide clear information to my colleagues within set timeframes and time availability. Displaying excellent organisation and planning skills, I manage personal workloads within demanding environments and conflicting priorities. Whilst at Commission for Children & Young People & Child Guardian (CCYPCG), I would contact existing clients regarding their options to extend their contract terms for software support services. Upon contacting a particular client, I was advised that, in addition to the contract extension, they also wished to vary the support hours and fee structure. By giving a positive response to the clients’ requests working in collaboration with the client, team and contractor, I contributed significantly to the contract variation process to ensure the necessary paperwork was completed and signed within the specified timeframe. My supervisor and the client expressed their gratitude for the high level of customer service I provided and the timeliness of my service delivery. With the ability and initiative to interpret client services I am able to build productive client relationships. I have been successful in building rapport in all network settings and interactions.
Displaying confident and competent analytical thinking skills, I have a proven ability to work within complex frameworks. Within my career to date, I have shown my capability to analyse and also prioritise elevated levels of information and convert objectives into actions. With the aptitude to prioritise problems and gather the right information to analyse the results I am able to effectively adjudicate the correct outcomes for the client as well as the ATO.
An example of my well-developed ability to identify, collect, collate, analyse and present data in a manner that contributes to sound procurement and contract management decision was demonstrated during my tenure as Procurement Advisor at CCYPCG. I was required to investigate alternative binding machine solutions. Working in collaboration with management, I successfully planned and executed a well-developed process from obtaining the initial requirements and specifications, to researching of appropriate binding solutions, conducting offer evaluations, preparing options and presenting a final recommendation to management for review and decision. Engaging with key stakeholders, including end-users, in a trial process of potential products, I obtained and collated stakeholder feedback and data into a logical and precise management report for consideration. Upon management review, I received a positive outcome for purchase approval and an internal problem resolved for the team.
Throughout my career, especially within the government sector, I have developed the ability to think logically, evaluate situations from a strategic perspective and follow through by formulating and implementing effective short-term and long-term decisions. In order to maintain strategic thinking, I utilise formalised practices and improve the efficiency of their operation.
During my position as a Procurement Advisor for the CCYPCG, I was instrumental in the procurement of goods and services, including ICT equipment, software development contracts, and short-term labour hire agreements. To support my expertise, I completed both the Beginner and Intermediate Procurement courses with the now Procurement Transformation Division. Within each procurement activity, I ensured that the appropriate Corporate Standards and Whole of Government (WoG) Procurement policies and principles applied and educated my clients accordingly. For example, I received a request from an internal client to purchase over $150,000.00 worth of folder files and clips. The request had a Briefing Note attached with an approval from a Delegated Financial officer within our Organisation. However, as the signing officer approval limit was $150.000.00 on purchases, I referred the request back to the client and advised that they would need to seek further approval from an officer with the appropriate financial delegation before I could progress with this purchase as per policy. Because of my informed advice, the client was able to re-submit another Briefing Note to the appropriate Financial Delegate, obtain approval, and provide the relevant documentation for me to proceed with the purchase in a timely manner.
A self-motivated, results-orientated professional, I took responsibility for achieving outcomes within my position as Procurement Advisor with CCYPCG. My accomplishments within this position included meeting targets, mentoring and training staff, leading by example, and devising ways to improve systems and procedures. Within this position, a client who wanted to extend the engagement of two contract personnel by three months approached me within a timeframe that halved the standard company requirement of notice. By prioritising this task, I ensured all relevant financial and project approvals were in place. With all stakeholders informed and in agreement with the process and timeline, I then proceeded to draft the relevant contract extension paperwork (including a variation and extension letter), and submit these to the Executive Management Team (EMT) for urgent approvals. Because of my prompt actions, the contract extension was approved by EMT and executed within the designated timeframe required and the contract personnel were able to continue work on the project.
My previous working role in Government Grants consulting required me to meet with potential new clients to discuss their business operations, company structures and projects that they are undertaking. In order to assist clients in obtaining grants, I was required to meet with and sign up new clients to our organisation on a regular basis, which often required delicate, diplomatic and flexible interpersonal consultation and negotiation skills. For example, in meeting with one particular potential client, I could see that they were hesitant about signing an agreement. Through active listening techniques, I was able to determine that the client was “price sensitive”. Through open communication, I was able to educate, negotiate and in turn provide a customer and company beneficial agreement to which resulted in this client becoming a long and loyal client.
Validated throughout my career history and in conjunction with my formal studies in Accounting and Procurement, I have a demonstrated high level understanding of Financial & Procurement Reporting requirements, Accounting & Procurement Standards, financial frameworks, GITC framework, and the State Government and Internal Procurement policies. Responsible for producing monthly, quarterly and yearly asset and contract reports, I have contributed to management accounting practices such as budget and cost reporting, financial reporting, and annual reporting requirements. With a proven ability to adopt policies, standards and frameworks that are industry related, I have delivered on expectations in short timeframes and proven my portfolio of transferable skills and knowledge.
