Bellingen Shire Council

Finance Officer Expenditure

Are you great with numbers and love working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly? We’re seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Finance Officer – Expenditure to support our finance operations. This role is crucial to ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time, and that our internal processes are followed with care and consistency. If you enjoy working with systems, thrive in a structured environment, and want to contribute to a team that values service and accuracy, this could be your next opportunity.

About Us

Working with us means more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to make a real difference at a local level. We’re a small but impactful council known for innovation, collaboration, and community connection. With around 150 dedicated employees, our team is passionate about delivering services that support the people and places that make our shire special.

Bellingen Shire is a picturesque and diverse area located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and just south of Coffs Harbour. Covering 1,605 square kilometres with around 10km of coastline, the region is renowned for its stunning natural beauty – from lush rainforests and pristine rivers to the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. Our towns and villages are known for their charm, creativity and strong community spirit.

Living and working here offers the perfect blend of lifestyle and purpose. With a focus on sustainability, cultural richness, and a warm, welcoming community, Bellingen Shire is an inspiring place to grow your career, enjoy work-life balance, and contribute to something meaningful.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Accountant, the Finance Officer – Expenditure is responsible for managing Council’s Creditors and Accounts Payable activities. You’ll play a key role in processing supplier invoices and payments, reconciling statements, resolving discrepancies, maintaining creditor records, and responding to queries. The role also provides support to the broader Finance team, including back-up payroll support on an ad hoc basis.

The ideal candidate will hold a Certificate IV in a relevant discipline, such as finance or business, or demonstrate equivalent hands-on experience. You’ll have recent experience in accounts payable and a solid understanding of procurement-to-pay processes. Familiarity with payroll or exposure to local government finance systems is an advantage. A strong background in customer service and experience working as part of a collaborative team will also be important.

Success in this role will require accuracy, initiative, and great organisational skills. You’ll be confident navigating finance systems and Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel and Word. A strong communicator, you’ll be comfortable guiding others through financial processes and maintaining productive relationships with suppliers and internal teams. Your problem-solving mindset and ability to adapt to changing priorities will help ensure seamless service delivery.

We welcome applications from candidates with hands-on experience in finance or administration roles, even if you don’t hold formal accounting qualifications.  If you’re comfortable working with numbers, systems and processes, and you’re keen to contribute to a well-functioning and supportive team, we’d love to hear from you.

On offer

Some of the benefits working for Bellingen Shire Council include:

• Access to Fitness Passport
• Access to employee wellbeing programs
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Salary packaging options
• Permanent full-time role, 35 hours per week with access to a monthly rostered day off

Annual salary of $68,398 to $77,940 (plus super).

For further information regarding this role please contact Phil West on 02 6655 7300.

Sponsorship/work rights for Australia

Please note:  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.  For a continuing position, you must be an Australian New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

How to Apply

Please read the Position Description by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.  It is important to read this carefully to understand what the job involves.

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification or skill.  If your experience looks a little different from what we have identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we would love to learn more about you!

If this sounds like you, click the ‘Apply for this job’ button at the top of the page, complete the application form and upload your current resume and a cover letter outlining your suitability for this role.

Applications close: Sunday, 18 May 2025 at 4pm

Further information

As part of the recruitment process, suitable applicants will be required to complete pre-employment screening which may include relevant background checks, functional capacity assessment and drug and alcohol screening for relevant positions.

Our recruitment process is primarily via system generated emails.  Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates and outcomes.

Email notifications may include application confirmation, interview invitations, request for references, and application outcomes.  Please check your email regularly, including your junk email.

For enquiries regarding the application process, please contact the Recruitment team by email at recruitment@bellingen.nsw.gov.au.

Bellingen Shire Council is a 2025 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.

Bellingen Shire Council as an equal opportunity employer is committed to a merit-based workforce that encompasses inclusiveness and diversity in an environment of mutual respect. We invite, encourage, welcome and value candidates of all ages, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and people who have lived experience of disability to apply to work with us.

Bellingen Shire Council is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.

If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please contact the People and Culture team on 02 6655 7300 or recruitment@bellingen.nsw.gov.au. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.