At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Construction activities for the SKAO's telescopes in Australia and South Africa started in 2021, along with a ramping up of SKAO staff in both countries. It is expected that the transition from the Construction Phase to the Operations Phase will happen around 2028.
SKAO Operations in South Africa will be conducted in partnership with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). SKAO Operations in Australia will be conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Observatory will also partner closely with a global network of SKA Regional Centres through which astronomers will access science data products and a suite of tools and resources to further analyse the SKA telescopes' data.
The SKA Observatory offers a competitive salary and a generous pension and benefits package. As an employee of an intergovernmental organisation, an appointee who is not a national of the country in which the role is based may be subject to personal Privileges and Immunities.
Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Management Accountant will support the transactional finance function focussing mainly on the AUS ledger of SKAO’s group reporting structure.
This is a fixed term role to support the local finance team through a short-term period of change. This role offers the successful candidate the chance to be involved in strategic financial planning and reporting for the organisation, alongside performing the critical daily duties of a Management Accountant.
The Management Accountant will oversee the month end and year end processes with the support of the Finance Assistant. This will include preparing and posting a number of journals, preparing key monthly reconciliations and investigate variances in the balance sheet reconciliation pack. The role will also prepare a number of month-end reports and work with cost centre owners and the Finance Manager to obtain high quality commentary for the monthly Management Accounts and cash flow forecasting submissions to the Treasury team.
This role will also have supervisory duties for the Finance Assistant, reviewing their work and supporting them in their role and will support the Finance Manager in preparing the annual budgets, budget revisions, and rolling forecasts.
The role is a six-month fixed-term and is based in Perth, Australia.
We welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities, especially those from member countries. However, for this role relocation support will not be available and applicants must be able to comply with the terms of an Australia based local contract, details of which may be accessed on SKAO’s recruitment portal.
SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.
There may be occasions where this role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.
The post holder will:
- Prepare and post month-end journals such as accruals, intercompany transfers, FX revaluations, and IFRS16 lease accounting journals;
- Prepare and complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations with the support of the Finance Assistant and investigate variances;
- Prepare entity level monthly management reports for submission for consolidation by the Group Accountant;
- Business partner cost centre managers to obtain high quality commentary for month-end variance analysis;
- Support the Finance Manager with the preparation of annual budgets, budget revisions and rolling forecasts;
- Support the finance function’s role in the procurement to payment process, reviewing and approving requisition orders, supplier invoices, and perform bank authorisations as required in line with the internal delegation of authority;
- Support any internal audits of the finance processes;
- Support staff with credit card claims and queries;
- Support the Finance Assistant with the preparation of quarterly GST reclaims, and reconciliation of any amounts which need to be written off as irrecoverable;
- Support the Finance Manager with the annual Asset Verification audit. This will include travel to the telescope site.
- Support with the ongoing development and enhancement of group accounting policies, finance processes and procedures and associated documentation as required;
- Work alongside the ERP System Manager and Finance Manager to continuously improve the ERP system finance processes and controls;
- Train finance and non-finance staff as required;
- Travel may be required to the Engineering Operations Centre in Geraldton and to the telescope site in the Murchison. This may include flying on small aircraft; and
- Undertake any other reasonable duties, such as assisting with other business systems, as directed by the post holder’s line manager.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:
- Qualified or near-qualified accountant (CA or CPA) with at least 3 years’ experience in management accounting;
- Demonstrable experience in taking full responsibility for finalizing standard finance month end processes and preparation of management accounts.
- Experienced in business partnering with non-finance staff and preparing budgets and forecasts and liaising with relevant stakeholders in the business to ensure accuracy of budget submissions.
- Experience of building and maintaining modelling and variance analysis spreadsheets in Excel and providing variance analysis reporting and/or commentary to finance management;
- Experience within a multi-currency ERP system environment;
- Knowledge of IFRS accounting standards;
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint;
- Excellent written English to prepare reports, guidance, etc.
- Attention to detail and ensuring accuracy of information;
- Problem solver with ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to deadlines;
- A self-motivated team player who is flexible and adaptable to change.
- Experience of working in a small-medium international group finance function;
- Proficient in Unit4 ERP / Unit 4 Business World / Agresso;
- Experience of documenting policies, processes, risks and controls;
- Industry experience, and/or a track record in successful collaborative links with industry.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.
Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.
Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.
Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.
SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.
The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.
