Eva, 29
Financial Management Group
Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting at University of Canberra.
Work History: My current role at the Department of Finance and Deregulation has been my first public service experience. Previously I worked in real estate as a property manager for about five years.
How did you get into the graduate program?
During my last year of university I started searching for jobs in the employment section of the local newspaper ‘The Canberra Times'. I saw a colourful and vibrant advertisement for bright accounting graduates wanting to join a graduate program within Department of Finance and Administration back then. I promptly responded to the offer as Finance seemed the perfect place to start a career in accounting. I found out very quickly that I was short listed and was invited to an assessment and an interview. On the day of my last exam at University of Canberra I received a phone call from Finance offering me a position in Financial Reporting and Cash Management. I was so happy!
What attracted you to the public service rather than private enterprise?
In my opinion a lot of accounting students focus on applying for jobs in the private sector and give no consideration to opportunities within the public sector which are greater for a young graduate. These opportunities are what attracted me to apply for a position at Finance, which is the prospect of working on bigger picture accounting issues at the
whole-of-Government not just an individual level.
What does being a graduate involve?
Graduates are involved in several training and development program. These include training on public service writing skills, mentoring sessions, visits to Parliament House and meeting the Ministers, Senate and House of Representatives etc. The main goal of these development courses was to assist us in understanding how the Government operates and what role Finance has being one of the central agencies and more precisely what is our contribution to this BIG picture.
What would you do on an average day?
My average day consists of work with my team members to produce publication tables related to federal budget, each of us has a task to complete as well as other whole-of-Government financial statements, attending meetings, undertaking research in order to provide accurate advice in responses to external stakeholders on accounting issues as well as undertaking financial analysis.
What is your working environment like? How many people do you work with?
Our division consists of over 50 employees working in various teams which undertake work relating to financial reporting, interpretation of accounting standards or creating accounting legislation and policies for Government agencies. I work in a team of five people who have a great way of communicating with each other which makes our workplace professional and fun at the same time.
How flexible are your working conditions?
Negotiation opportunities for flexible working arrangements are great which is very helpful when undertaking further studies. Finance strives for all employees to maintain their work-life balance and offers generous study leave, personal leave etc.
How do you compare what you learnt at university to what you learn on the job?
The technical and strategic research skills which I gained in completing the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting have equipped me in undertaking in depth analysis on a number of accounting issues at work. However, the further skills used on the job are very practical which, in my opinion, is best way to learn.
Contact for information on this page: Recruitment and Retention Team