Finance Advisor in Melbourne

Glen Waverley (main office), with opportunities to work from other regional and metropolitan offices, including Ringwood, Seymour, Benalla, Shepparton and Wodonga.

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.

About the Group

Schools and Regional Services (SRS) offers central, regional, and local expertise to enhance learning and development outcomes, supported by a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. It comprises 17 areas within 4 regions, backed by 5 central office divisions, all collaborating to deliver improved outcomes for early childhood services, schools, communities, and learners, in line with Education State commitments. SRS regions serve as a bridge between the central office, schools, and service providers, ensuring smooth transitions for learners and achieving the department's ambitious targets. Each region includes divisions specialising in school performance, student wellbeing and early childhood support, working with area-based teams to tailor local interventions and practices. The 17 areas provide crucial insights into local trends and issues, facilitating effective policy and program development and driving child and learner outcomes across all services and programs.

This role is located in the Regional Finance Unit, Regional Operations Branch, North Eastern Victoria Region, SRS. The role reports to the Regional Finance Manager and the team are responsible for resource management, ensuring compliance of all relevant policies and procedures, and providing financial advice and options to financial delegates across the region.

About the Role

The purpose of the Finance Officer role is to support regional budget management processes and to undertake key financial, administrative, compliance and reporting tasks in line with department policy. The role will provide high quality services and support to regional staff and engage collaboratively across regions and central divisions to ensure the integrity and efficiency of financial processes. The role is critical to the effective operations of the region. It will involve periods of sustained independent work, as well as engagement with regional staff and key central divisions. It demands high levels of accountability and integrity and the ability to support staff to improve their financial and operational capabilities.

The Regional Finance Officer's tasks include:

• Financial reporting, including tracking regional budgets, expenditure and forecasting.
• Data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Supporting the Regional Finance Manager with administration tasks including processing accounts, journals, budget preparation and budget monitoring.
• Supporting financial governance processes, including the establishment and disestablishment of schools.
• Support to workforce and people resources management.
• Maintaining and improving processes, procedures and non-compliance controls within the scope of role.

Attributes

• Creative problem solving, with high level conceptual and analytical skills.
• Build and maintain relationships with staff across all levels, including executive class, and ability to discuss budget outcomes and provide support to financial delegates.
• Attention to detail and ability to work with large data files and maintain accurate record keeping.
• Understanding that work may include gaining knowledge, and participating in, procurement activities and workforce data management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Tertiary qualifications in business, accounting, finance, commerce or equivalent (desirable).
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and exposure to Power BI or similar data visualisation software (essential).

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page. Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au. For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Laura Madden - Regional Finance Manager - ************@education.vic.gov.au. Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements. Applications close 11:59pm on Monday 2 November 2026.