Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.

Role highlights

• Varied work supporting both CSIRO and its subsidiary entities
• Develop your accounting expertise across financial reporting, audit support
• Flexible working arrangements with 15.4% Super

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

As the Finance Officer (Assistant Accountant) working as part of the Financial Accounting and Tax team, you will undertake day-to-day accounting, compliance and operational activities, providing essential support to CSIRO and its subsidiary entities.

You will contribute to core financial accounting activities, including preparing reconciliations and journal entries, supporting financial statement preparation, and assisting with audits. You will also provide finance support to CSIRO subsidiary entities, undertaking bookkeeping and compliance activities and preparing management reports that track expenditure against budgets.

Working closely with a wide range of internal stakeholders, you’ll be managing competing priorities whilst ensuring all accounting activities comply with relevant financial and regulatory reporting frameworks, as well as CSIRO’s policies and procedures. Your ability to collaborate effectively and manage diverse tasks will be key to your success in this role.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Accurately and efficiently undertake and manage accounting activities for CSIRO and its Subsidiary Entities, including maintaining the general ledger, preparation of ad-hoc reports, assisting with the preparation of financial statements, and various reporting activities to assist in achieving statutory compliance and adhering to policies and processes.
• Analyse data, identify variances or issues and draw conclusions or potential solutions for discussion with the team.
• Proactively look for digital solutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of processes. Work across multiple accounting and operational systems.
• Provide support in commercialisation accounting and management of accounting and reporting for investment portfolios.
• Support the CSIRO consolidated financial statements process and audit, including reconciliation and preparation of appropriate audit working papers.
• Accurately undertake, supervise and complete work with appropriate prioritisation, adding value and looking for improvements to processes to ensure a high-level service delivery and performance.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Preferredlocations Canberra, Hobart - Other AU cities with CSIRO sites considered

Salary: AU$76,068 – AU$96,813 per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 12 Months

Reference: 102445

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

• Holds or is working towards a tertiary qualification in accounting or finance and/or equivalent relevant work experience in a financial environment.
• Demonstrated experience in financial accounting tasks (such as recording of transactions, undertaking reconciliations, preparing monthly reports)
• Demonstrated experience being proactive and using sound judgement and problem-solving skills to resolve issues and implement improved business practices.
• Demonstrated experience in working with accounting systems (e.g. SAP, XERO)
• Proven ability to complete work with accuracy and timeliness including prioritisation of own tasks contributing to service delivery.
• Demonstrated experience to complete accurate and timely reporting by ensuring the integrity of data sources and inputs. Attention to detail and quality data input.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to form constructive working relationships with staff across the business to progress outcomes
• A proven ability to work well within a team to provide a high level of customer service

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of CSIRO systems and processes.

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact Careers.online@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

10 March 2026, 11pm AEDT