Organisation: Queensland Ambulance Service
Job Title: Assistant Finance Officer
Word Limit: 2 Page Statement
Location: Kedron
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in financial accounting in a large, computerised accrual
accounting environment, in particular SAP ECC
Whilst working for the British Council as a Finance Officer, a position I held for 6 years, I utilised SAP R/3
ERP to collate, record, process, and report on all financial functions. The SAP R/3 incorporated the entire
organisational capability, and as it was fully integrated, I developed skills within customer relationship
management, projects, human resources, and payroll, in addition to the traditional accounting functions.
Project and contract management drove the British Council commercial model, and each project had its
own cost centre. On a day-to-day basis, I provided direct SAP R/3 support to multiple project managers
across three offices, and was heavily involved in processing bank incomes, allocating income by product in
journal entries, reconciling accruals, administrating, and updating expenses, and managing payroll for each
individual project under the education sector.
During month end, I developed individual reports for every project and was required to update project
components utilising SAP R/3 functionalities. This involved reviewing project risks, reconciling monthly
income against budgets, reconciling expenses, analysing revenues, reporting on customer scorecard results,
and creating a detailed month end report — with summary explanations for any variables. Utilisng my
comprehensive knowledge of SAP, I consistently delivered exceptional month end reporting across multiple
projects, enabling project managers to make strategic business decisions based on accurate real time
financial information.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and
confidentially with a range of stakeholders through various mediums
In my role as a Finance Officer for the British Council, I worked closely with multiple project managers who
were engaged in running independent cost centre educational contracts. My role as a Finance Officer was
to manage, administrate, and report on each projects financial position on an ongoing monthly basis. This
required working closely with each project manager, utilising my excellent written, report writing, oral
communication, and presentation skills.
I also provided ongoing SAP and accounting support to all project managers, including the newly appointed
team members. Often the project managers were not technically proficient in the use of SAP, therefore, I
provided ad hoc training, coaching, and advice on how to utilise SAP effectively, which included email, face-
to-face, and written correspondence. I also further developed each project manager’s financial and
accounting knowledge and capability, particularly when I presented the month end reports. My ability to
build collaborative relationships enabled each project manager to maximise their decision making skills,
based on complex financial reporting information, which in turn added value to the organisation.
Strong interpersonal skills including conflict resolution, negotiation and listening skills, and the ability to
work autonomously as a team member and commit to team goals
Whilst working as a Finance Officer for the British Council, I provided accounting support to the marketing
department. When asked to administrate, and raise purchase orders for a previously prepared marketing
campaign budget, I immediately recognised that the budget, costings, and expenditure given to me
spanned two financial years. This would make it impossible for me to raise purchase orders against the
forecasted plan. Recognising that this was a serious issue, I personally contacted the marketing manager to
inform them that the budget was flawed and unusable. Using diplomacy, I explained that it was impossible
to administrate financially, and was contrary to accounting policies and practices. The marketing manager
was under enormous deadline pressure with the campaign due to start imminently; therefore, she refused
to accept my findings and demanded an alternative solution. I used my exceptional interpersonal skills to
manage the situation effectively, and listened to her impassioned pleas for help before negotiating a
successful outcome. With limited time, the UK head office approved two new budgets; I suggested moving
all the components of this campaign to fit within the current financial year. Although difficult, the
marketing manager accepted my solution, and thanked me for my patience. The reconfigured campaign
went ahead successfully, and I provided the financial support that was required to reconcile all accounting
functions.
Demonstrated commitment to the provision of effective customer service to a range of internal and
external clients and stakeholders
As a Financial Officer for the British Council, I provided customer service support to all clients, stakeholders,
and vendors who had financial queries. When a key stakeholder — a new credit controller from EDEXEL UK
called regarding reconciliation of an outstanding invoice for 240 GBP, I provided the support and service
they required. The invoice was nearly four years old, and appeared to be unpaid. Despite being under
pressure to complete my month end reporting, I prioritised this task knowing the stakeholder was very
important to the company. Upon investigation, SAP clearly documented that the invoice had been paid,
however, I decided to go one-step further and took the time to search the manual archives, obtain the
paperwork, and track down the exact bank payment reference details. Throughout this period, I maintained
constant communication with the project managers who were demanding month end results, and the
customer, who was keen to achieve a resolution. I was therefore able to prove that the invoice had been
paid, and delivered exceptional customer service, which was appreciated by the stakeholder, whilst still
maintaining support and service to my internal customers.
Ability to prioritise tasks, manage workflows and achieve desired outcomes within allocated timeframes
and resources
In my role as a Financial Officer at the British Council, I utilised SAP R/3 to manage the accounting
administration of multiple projects, each with their own cost centre, reporting requirements, and payroll
functions. I worked within a very strict deadline driven framework, with dedicated days for invoice runs,
payroll, account reconciliations, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. This required exceptional
prioritisation and workflow management skills in order to meet my deadlines. I supported multiple project
managers, who were reliant on me to provide accurate, timely financial information, so that they could run
their business effectively, and with strategically important accounting information. My ability to deliver
timely results was tested every month. As well as my day-to-day duties, I was required to complete end of
month reporting, and variance analysis for all the project cost centres as well as the Financial Control
Compliance Framework (FMCF) reporting, that ensured internal control systems were in place for all my
accounting actions and functions. My ability to prioritise tasks and effectively manage a complex and
demanding workload enabled me to provide the support the project managers and the organisation
required to continue to deliver financial accountability and legislative compliance.
Ability to prepare accurate documentation, efficiently utilise a variety of computer applications and
adhere to relevant legislation and departmental policies and procedures
Whilst working as a Finance Officer for the British Council, I was responsible for completing year-end and
FMCF reporting for multiple project cost centers. Utilising SAP R/3, I administrated the accounts for each
individual project manager relating to income from customers, and recorded expenditure. In doing so, I also
managed all budgets, completed comprehensive comparison, cost, and variance analysis to prepare a
summary report for each project manager. This required extensive liaison with each stakeholder, as well as
the use of Excel to present the year-end financial information. Initially, the year-end process was complex
and I relied heavily on the project manager to return my calls, or provide critical financial information. I
recognised that the project managers utilised CAMEO project management control software, and used my
negotiation skills to persuade them that the year-end reporting process would be more efficient if I was
able to access CAMEO directly. Because of my innovation, and my ability to acquire the knowledge to use
alternative software packages, I simultaneously released the project managers from having to supply
critical information twice, allowing me to efficiently gain accounting data, apply Australian Accounting
Standards, and deliver legislative governance.
