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Finance Analyst - Job Opportunity at Department of Education

Melbourne, Australia
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 4, 2025
On-site
AUD 80,000 - 95,000 per year based on VPSG4 Victorian government pay scale for mid-level analyst positions with specialized data analytics and risk management responsibilities

Benefits

Comprehensive government employment benefits package including superannuation, annual leave, and sick leave entitlements that exceed private sector standards
Professional development opportunities within a large government department with structured career progression pathways
Job security through government employment with established workplace protections and union representation
Work-life balance initiatives common in public sector roles including flexible working arrangements
Access to employee assistance programs and comprehensive health and wellbeing support services

Key Responsibilities

Lead second line of defense financial risk management activities that directly protect departmental assets and ensure regulatory compliance across Victoria's education system
Execute continuous control monitoring programs that safeguard vendor relationships, purchasing processes, and staff reimbursements affecting millions in public education funding
Design and implement advanced data analytics solutions using Power BI and SQL to identify financial anomalies and fraud risks across large-scale government operations
Manage critical financial delegation monitoring systems ensuring proper authorization controls are maintained across the department's Oracle Cloud infrastructure
Coordinate with internal and external auditors including the Victorian Auditor-General's Office to ensure transparent financial reporting and compliance with government standards
Provide strategic guidance and education to business units on financial policy compliance, directly supporting the operational effectiveness of Victoria's education delivery
Develop and maintain process documentation and monitoring frameworks that establish best practice financial governance across the department's diverse portfolio

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance or Bachelor degree in Accounting or Bachelor degree in Commerce

Experience

Audit, Assurance or Financial Analyst background preferable

Required Skills

Ability to support continuous monitoring and oversight activities over financial information and identify anomalies, fraud or areas of risk Experience in performing monthly, quarterly and yearly analytical reviews of financial information with ability to document work completed and findings Experience in interpreting financial policies Experience in preparing audit evidence workpaper files and liaising with internal and external auditors Demonstrated ability and knowledge of information management technologies and their application within business context Advanced Microsoft Excel including pivot tables, advance formulas and financial modelling Experience running SQL scripts and Business Intelligence tools like Microsoft Power BI or similar data visualization software Experience using Oracle financials or similar finance systems Ability to work with large volume of data sets, clean, filter and resolve inconsistencies Critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities Strong verbal and written communication skills
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Government finance roles are increasingly emphasizing data analytics and continuous monitoring capabilities as public sector organizations modernize their risk management frameworks and adopt private sector best practices for financial oversight. The integration of advanced business intelligence tools like Power BI and SQL-based analytics in government finance positions reflects the broader digital transformation occurring across public sector financial management, with emphasis on real-time monitoring and predictive risk assessment. Second line of defense functions are becoming more sophisticated in government departments, requiring finance professionals who can bridge traditional accounting expertise with modern data science capabilities to ensure comprehensive risk management in complex organizational structures.

Role Significance

Small specialized team of 3-4 professionals including Senior Data Analyst and Senior Finance Analyst, working within broader Finance and Compliance Branch structure with cross-functional collaboration requirements
Mid-level position with significant autonomy and specialized expertise requirements, reporting directly to management level with responsibility for critical financial risk oversight functions that impact departmental operations and compliance

Key Projects

Implementation of continuous control monitoring systems across vendor management and purchasing processes Development of automated financial risk detection frameworks using advanced analytics Creation of comprehensive financial compliance reporting systems for internal and external audit requirements Design and deployment of real-time financial monitoring dashboards for management decision support

Success Factors

Technical proficiency in advanced data analytics tools and financial systems integration, enabling effective identification of risks and anomalies across complex government financial operations Strong understanding of government financial compliance frameworks and audit requirements, ensuring adherence to Victorian public sector financial management standards and legislative requirements Excellent stakeholder relationship management skills to effectively collaborate with diverse business units and provide guidance on financial policy compliance while maintaining cooperative working relationships Analytical mindset with attention to detail for managing large datasets and complex financial information while maintaining accuracy in high-stakes government financial oversight responsibilities

Market Demand

Strong demand driven by government modernization initiatives and increased focus on financial risk management and compliance oversight across public sector organizations

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced Excel and SQL capabilities are essential for managing the complex data analysis requirements of continuous control monitoring across large government financial systems, enabling identification of anomalies and risk patterns that protect public resources and ensure compliance with financial management frameworks. Oracle financial systems expertise is crucial given the department's reliance on Oracle Cloud infrastructure for purchase-to-pay processes, requiring deep understanding of system functionality to effectively monitor financial delegations and ensure proper authorization controls across the organization. Risk identification and financial analysis skills are fundamental to the second line of defense function, requiring ability to interpret complex financial data, identify potential fraud or compliance issues, and develop appropriate response strategies to protect departmental interests and public accountability.

Beneficial Skills

Power BI and advanced data visualization skills enhance the role's strategic impact by enabling creation of executive-level dashboards and reports that support senior management decision-making and provide clear communication of financial risk status across the organization. Government audit experience provides valuable context for understanding public sector compliance requirements and working effectively with internal and external audit teams, particularly given the role's direct involvement with Victorian Auditor-General processes and internal audit support functions. Project management capabilities support the role's responsibility for managing multiple continuous control monitoring programs simultaneously while maintaining quality standards and meeting reporting deadlines in complex government operating environment.

Unique Aspects

Fixed-term contract until June 2026 provides defined tenure with potential for extension based on performance and organizational needs, offering opportunity to contribute to significant government financial reform initiatives
Direct involvement in Victorian Auditor-General's Office audit processes provides exposure to highest levels of government financial scrutiny and professional development in public sector audit and compliance standards
Opportunity to work with cutting-edge financial risk management technology within government context, bridging traditional public sector approaches with modern data analytics and continuous monitoring methodologies
Role combines technical finance expertise with data science capabilities in government setting, offering unique professional development pathway in emerging field of public sector financial technology

Career Growth

2-4 years to senior analyst level, 4-6 years to management positions with continued professional development and demonstrated expertise in government financial risk management

Potential Next Roles

Senior Finance Analyst with expanded team leadership responsibilities Business Monitoring Manager overseeing multiple analysts and risk management programs Finance Manager with broader departmental financial oversight responsibilities Internal Audit Manager specializing in government financial risk assessment

Company Overview

Department of Education

The Victorian Department of Education is one of Australia's largest government departments responsible for the delivery of education services across early childhood, primary, and secondary education systems throughout Victoria, managing significant public funding and infrastructure investments while serving diverse communities across metropolitan and regional areas.

Leading public sector employer in Victoria's education space with substantial budget responsibility and direct impact on educational outcomes for hundreds of thousands of students, representing a stable and influential government department with strong community presence and political significance.
Significant statewide presence across Victoria with central office operations in Melbourne CBD and extensive regional network supporting schools and early childhood centers throughout metropolitan and rural Victoria, offering exposure to diverse operational environments and stakeholder groups.
Professional public sector environment emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and public service values with structured processes, comprehensive policy frameworks, and focus on transparent governance and community service delivery within established government workplace standards.
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