APS6 System Accountant (SAP)

Work across a full SAP financial system, gaining exposure to how accounting standards translate into live, large-scale projects.

This is one of the larger and more complex departments in the Australian Public Service, delivering programs and services across a broad national portfolio.

Its Financial Operations Branch is responsible for financial accounting, asset management, treasury and banking services, and the department’s overall financial framework.

The department is continuing to invest in its financial systems, in line with the broader APS shift towards more flexible, market-driven ERP arrangements.

The Opportunity

This role sits within the Financial Systems, Fleet & Travel section, which maintains the department’s SAP financial management system alongside its travel and fleet functions.

You’ll report to the EL1 Systems Accountant and work closely with teams across Governance, Risk and Compliance and the wider Finance Division to keep SAP compliant with accounting standards and government policy.

The department is flexible on engagement type for the right candidate, considering permanent, non-ongoing contract, and labour hire arrangements.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Work across the full SAP financial system rather than a narrow slice of it, from master data through to compliance advice
• Gain direct exposure to how accounting standards and government policy translate into a live, large-scale financial system
• Select your engagement type, whether it’s permanent, non-ongoing contract or labour hire
• Access hybrid working with two days from home each week
• Work alongside teams across Governance, Risk and Compliance and the wider Finance Division, broadening your exposure beyond a single function

The Role

This role keeps the department’s SAP financial system compliant and fit for purpose as accounting standards and policy change.

You will be responsible for:

• Advising the Assistant Director on the strategic direction of the financial system and translate this into operational priorities
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives that make the department’s financial processes more effective and efficient
• Analysing changes and projects affecting the financial system, and help identify and manage financial control risks
• Preparing advice on financial systems accounting practices and financial operational impacts, including reconciliations between financial and line of business systems
• Monitoring changes in accounting standards, financial systems, and Government and Departmental processes, and manage their impact on the financial system
• Troubleshooting ad hoc accounting or financial system issues as they arise

The Ideal Person

You’re someone with a solid grounding in SAP and accounting standards, who can weigh up a problem objectively before recommending a solution.

You will bring the following skills and experience:

• A good working knowledge of the components of SAP, including the financial modules
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills
• Analytical skills to understand business issues and weigh up options objectively
• Experience managing reconciliations of financial information
• Experience implementing financial system changes and related business process change
• Experience managing competing stakeholder needs to reach an agreed solution

It’s also desirable for you to have:

• A bachelor or higher degree in finance, accounting, public policy, public administration, law, economics, data science, information technology or a related field
• CA or CPA qualification, or working towards one

Salary / Rate

• $100k – 110k + Super for a non-ongoing or permanent engagement
• $75/hr – $85/hr + Super for a labour hire contract
• Hybrid working arrangements available, with two WFH days