It wasn’t until my late 20s that I began my finance career and ACCA pathway. I found that the various disciplines in accounting focused my mind and I enjoyed the constant learning and challenges. I started as a finance assistant and through initiative have progressed steadily and been a manager of most central and business functions of large agencies.
The public sector provides me with an environment that suits my values. They include values gained from my early days in fire and rescue, then meeting staff and clients in disability settings, and now the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) in New South Wales. I have found that the services provided without question make a real difference to people’s everyday lives. Playing just a small part is personally satisfying.
I manage the finance business partnering services for the corporate service division in the DCJ. The corporate services division supports front-line service delivery with a departmental budget of over A$10.7bn (US$8.15bn) and a headcount of approximately 23,000 full-time equivalents. My director and the direct team engage with the business in branches such as ICT, assets, people and shared services.
The need for storytelling and evidence will be more important than ever for finance
Back-office expenditure is undergoing ongoing scrutiny, and we are constantly challenged and active in working though business cases and efficiency opportunities. We keep track to ensure the appropriate funding is directed to frontline services such as child protection, corrective services, courts and youth justice. The department is also fortunate to have a very strong finance executive and an inspirational CFO.
Accounting systems have become more automated and cloud-based. But I’ve also witnessed first-hand during the Covid-19 crisis the speed and effectiveness of the IT department in rolling out new ways of working, not only for employees, but also, for example, audiovisual links to support various court hearings so the justice system can continue operating. The rollout will change some front-line services forever and enable the move to a total agile workplace for finance and corporate roles.
The world is changing, and the thirst for a story sometimes distracts from the wonderful work that is being selflessly carried out everyday. From aged care to out-of-home care, the challenges are massive but at times they are overshadowed and highlighted only when there is an incident, which I believe is unfair. Professionally, public and audit scrutiny is greater than ever, and while the funding for Covid-19 stimulus has been appropriate, the prudent New South Wales government will ensure even more targeting of resources in the future. The need for storytelling and evidence will be more important than ever for finance.
Attaining FCCA status was not a dream I could have imagined when I left school. My biggest achievement has been an unbroken 14 years working for the now amalgamated DCJ and navigating my way through consolidated online entry reporting for the New South Wales Treasury at a time of continual government structural changes.
I see my future continuing in public service, building on my knowledge, and mentoring and sharing my experiences with my team and colleagues. Should the opportunity arise for a more strategic position, I believe my skills and the timing are now aligned. I have learnt that the key skills I bring to business partnering are strong and clear communication, simplifying issues and building confidence. I hope that some of the values I have developed in public service are understood and maintained by my kids.
