Senior Capital Accountant - Financial Controls & Compliance in Parramatta

Our client is a large NSW Government organisation with a significant capital asset portfolio and complex operational environment. As part of a recent finance restructure, a newly established Capital Services function is strengthening its approach to capital accounting, financial controls, compliance and governance.

This role will join a small Capital Services team and provide additional support as the function develops and implements new capital accounting controls and compliance processes. The role will have a particular focus on Assets Under Construction (AUC), including reviewing aged assets, identifying potential accounting and control issues, supporting appropriate capitalisation and helping improve processes for transferring completed assets to the fixed asset register.

Working closely with finance and business stakeholders, you will help establish a practical, risk-based approach to financial controls and testing across a large capital asset portfolio. This is a hands‐on role suited to someone who can work independently, analyse complex information, identify risks and work constructively with the business to improve compliance and financial control processes.

Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of a risk-based capital accounting control framework
• Develop and perform testing of financial controls across capital expenditure and assets
• Review Assets Under Construction and identify aged, inactive or potentially misclassified assets
• Analyse capital expenditure and assess whether costs meet relevant capitalisation criteria
• Support the appropriate transfer of completed assets to the fixed asset register
• Identify control gaps, process weaknesses and areas of financial or compliance risk
• Undertake sample-based testing across a large asset portfolio
• Work with business areas to investigate and resolve identified issues
• Support the implementation and operationalisation of updated capital policies and procedures
• Develop practical processes and controls that can be embedded across the business
• Provide analysis, recommendations and reporting to senior finance stakeholders
• Support internal audit preparation and remediation activities
• Build strong relationships with finance and operational stakeholders to improve capital accounting practices

Skills and Experience:

• Strong financial accounting experience with a focus on capital accounting
• Demonstrated experience working with Assets Under Construction (AUC)
• Strong understanding of AASB 116 – Property, Plant and Equipment and capitalisation principles
• Experience developing, implementing or testing financial controls and compliance frameworks
• Strong analytical skills and ability to apply a risk-based approach to testing and review
• Experience working with large asset portfolios or complex capital programs
• Ability to analyse financial information, identify anomalies and determine appropriate areas for further investigation
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work with business areas to address control issues and improve processes
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently and contribute to establishing processes within a developing/greenfield function
• NSW Government or broader public sector experience highly regarded
• Internal audit, external audit or audit-office experience highly regarded
• Experience within construction, infrastructure, property or large capital works environments advantageous