Systems Accountant

Job Name

Systems Accountant

Brief description

A Systems Accountant analyses financial information needs for organisations by reviewing existing systems and working out the best way to meet those needs through the design of new systems. (The Good Guides, 2007).

They are tasked with providing support to key decisionmakers and be the interface between the business and technology/systems. (mycareer.com.au, August 2007)

They contribute to the implementation of change processes within the Financial Services department in a period of rapid development and change in Information systems and Technology. This role is predominantly a project oriented role, and centres upon delivering successful information systems which will deliver significant benefits to the organisation. (The Wyndham City Council, 2007).

They may also provide additional services such as budgeting and performance monitoring, furthermore helping to ensure that a business runs in a smooth and efficient manner.

They can be independent business advisers, who help their clients to build and develop their businesses, offering an extensive range of services. (Wikipedia.org, 2007).

Other challenges include project management of extensive projects (mycareer.com.au, August 2007)

Furthermore, Systems Accounting measures, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information system that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and other decision makers make resource allocation decisions.

Duties & responsibilities  

System related:

• Review, develop, test and implement information systems (Seek.com.au, 3 August, 2007)
• Work in conjunction with Business Analysts, analysing existing financial systems to identify where software configuration changes and/or process re-engineering will improve business practices (www.facsia.gov.au, June, 2007)
• Design and implement automated accounting and reporting systems to facilitate the production of regular management reporting (Seek.com.au, 14 August, 2007)

• Investigate into perceived problems of inefficiencies (Hays, 6 August, 2007)
• Implement improvement programs (Hays, 6 August, 2007)
• Assist in the assessment of alternative software solutions and drive the process of selection and acquisition as necessary (Seek.com.au, 14 August, 2007)
• Maintain databases associated with data capture and manipulation (Seek.com.au, 20 July, 2007)
• Maintain a high level of knowledge about all products, systems and procedures that relate to the accounting and finance process (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007)
• Gain an excellent working knowledge of the Financial Management Information System to enable the incumbent to act as a liason between the Financial Department and the IT department in regard to technical and maintenance related issues (Wyndham City Council, 2007) 
• Provide training in the use of these new systems to the key stakeholders (Seek.com.au, 8 Aug, 2007)
• Provide help desk support (Select Appointments, 6 August, 2007)
• Ensure accuracy in migrating data to the new systems (Seek.com.au, 8 August, 2007)
• Control the tendering process for new systems (Seek.com.au, 8 August, 2007)
• Manage projects to strict deadlines (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007)
• Complete month end processes (MyCareer.com.au, 6 August 2007)
• Develop and maintain customised Portal/BEx based executive and management reports (Select Appointments, 6 Aug,2007)
• Supervise administration of the FMC Intranet Finance Module (www.fmc.gov.au, August, 2007)
• Co-ordinate with the IT department for problem resolution and enhancements (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007)
• Ensure any SOX deficiency related to the systems team is identified and registered (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007)
• Define and streamline the process of receiving data, analysing results and variances, preparing written summaries and ensuring that reports are consistent (Seek.com.au, 14 August, 2007)
• Development systems to include financial and non financial KPIs (Seek.com.au, 14 August, 2007)

Accounting related: 

• Report to the Financial Controller (CareerOne.com.au, 31 July, 2007) 
• Assist the Finance Manager with various ad hoc accounting tasks and requests (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007)
• Provide major upgrades to the Financial Management Information system (Wyndham City Council, August, 2007)
• Electronic purchasing (Wyndham City Council August, 2007)
• Review System audit trails (www.fmc.gov.au, August, 2007)
• Assist in preparation of GST, FBT and Income Tax work papers (MyCareer.com.au, August, 2007)
• Process journals, expenses and daily bank debits (MyCareer.com.au, August 2007)
• Ensure compliance of Sarbanes Oxley and IFRS requirements (MyCareer.com.au, August, 2007)   
• Complete the month end consolidated Trial Balance and Profit and Loss statements (MyCareer.com.au, August, 2007)
• Ensure interfaces are posted to General Ledger by the required time (Seek.com.au 6 August 2007)
• Budget and forecast as required (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007)
• Assist with group financial analysis (MyCareer.com.au, August, 2007)
• Conduct cost analysis, identifying cost reduction opportunities and report on improvements (Seek.com.au, 6 Aug, 2007)
• Understand and investigate accounting flows between product systems and the general ledger (Seek.com.au, 20 July, 2007)
• Maintain and improve control processes over reconciliations, reporting, operational and other risks (Seek.com.au, 20 July, 2007)
• Instrumental in reducing reporting timelines and improving month and year end reporting. (Seek.com.au, 14 August, 2007)
• Needs to ensure appropriate accounting disciplines are maintained by regular reconciliation of the Management Reports to the underlying financial accounting information will be required (Seek.com.au, 14 August, 2007)

Job requirements

Academic Qualifications

• Accounting degree (Seek.com.au, 8 August, 2007) 
• IT degree (preferred) (Hudsit 31 July, 2007 )
• Business/Finance degree (Seek.com.au 6 August)
• CA/CPA qualified, and/or (Gemteq Executive Tailored Recruitment Services, 23 July, 2007) 
• Membership of Professional Accounting body (Hudson, 20 August, 2007)
• The figures bellow indicate the percentage of employers and their qualifications for the past 3 months, (jobswatch.co.uk, 27 August 2007)

Work Experience:

• Min. 3 - 4 years experience in areas such as Commercial Finance, Accounting, Systems and IT (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007; Wyndham City Council, August, 2007)
• Minimum 3 years experience in system accounting role (Seek.com.au,23 July 2007)

Specialist Skills and Knowledge:

• Understanding and familiarity with Accounting systems in addition to a sound understanding of Accounting and Financial principles/practices (Wyndham City Council, August, 2007)
• Understanding of government resource management (www.fmc.gov.au, August, 2007)
• Advanced PC skills including word processing, spreadsheets and databases. (Hudson 20 August 2007Highly experienced in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and Visio (Gemteq executive, 23 July, 2007)
• Knowledge of large ERP systems and ideally SQL and VBA such as SAP, JD Edwards or Oracle is preferred (Michael Page Int, 6 August, 2007) & (MyCareer, 3 August, 2007)
• Experience using reporting and analysis tools such as Crystal 11, TM1 and XL One (MyCareer, 3 August, 2007)
• Ability to write SQL queries to extract information (City of Sydney, 3 August, 2007)
• Knowlegde of Peoplesoft V8 Financial - General Ledger, Accounts recievables and Accounts Payable modules (Seek.com.au 6 August 2007)
  

Skills Required:

Interpersonal Skills:

• Highly motivated (Michael Page International, 6 August 2007)
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical terms in plain language(Michael Page International, 6 August, 2007; Wyndham City Council, August, 2007)
• Posses the drive and determination to succeed (CareerOne.com.au, 31 July, 2007)
• Proven ability to work as a team member (Wydham City Council, August, 2007) 
• Provide strong attention to detail (Hays, 6 August, 2007)
• Time management skills (Hays, 6 August, 2007)
• Ability to gain co-operation and assistance from customers including resolving inter-department problems (Wyndham City Council, August, 2007)
• Enjoy taking on new challenges and multi-tasking (CareerOne.com.au, 06 August, 2007)
• Ablility to liase with the counterpart of the organisation and software companies to discuss and resolve specialist problems and other employees within the organisation to resolve intra organisational problems (Wyndham City Council, August, 2007) 
• Strong analyticial and problem solving skills (Select Appointments, 6 August, 2007)
• Hold the desire to learn new things and quickly adapt to new technology (Hays, 6 August, 2007)
• Strong communication skills are essential (Seek.com.au, 14 August, 2007)
• Desire to progress your career within the one company (Seek.com.au, 14 August, 2007)
• Exceptional teamplayer ability, sound interpersonal skills and attention to detail, plus the ability to see projects through would be key. (MyCareer.com.au, August, 2007)
  
• Management Skills:
• Ability to plan the development, implementation and review of the systems (Wyndham City Council, August, 2007)
• Ability to conduct meetings to obtain agreement, resolve issues and transfer knowledge in areas of responsibility (Wyndham City Council, August 2007)
• Well developed skills in time management, setting priorities, planning and organising own work and where necessary delegatiing the other employees to achieve the specific and set objectives in the most efficient way within the resources avilable and set timeframe despte conflicting pressures (Wyndham City Council, August, 2007) 
• Planning and organisational skills (Seek.com.au, 06 August, 2007)
• High levels of people management skills (www.fmc.gov.au, August, 2007)
• Ability to train end users in relation to Business and IT services (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007)
• Ability to present and report financial information (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007) 

Organisational Relationships

Salary

The average person in the Systems Accounting industry earns $78,172. (MyCareer.com.au, 2007)

Entities within different states/territories generally seem to offer different salary packages, based on the applicants experience and how extensive the job description is:  

• NSW:  $45,000 - $100,000:
• Sydney, North Shore Location, Salary ranges from $90,000 negotiable and company paid parking with other exciting benefits  (MyCareer.com.au, August, 2007)
• VIC:   $60,000 - $ 90,000
• QLD:   $50,000 - $110,000 
• SA:     $35,000 - $ 90,000 
• WA:    $50,000 - $ 80,000 
• ACT:   $50,000 - $ 90,000  (MyCareer.com.au, August, 2007)

Many employers are also looking for applicants for contract work, ranging from 3 to 6 months. These positions generally are offered at different rates depending on the company. The average rate found was:

• $ 35  - $ 60 per hour (Robert Half, 6 August, 2007)
• $450 - $600 per day (Seek.com.au, 6 August, 2007; Hudson, 20 August, 2007)
  

Industry/Organisation

• Public company owned by the Government
• Private sector
• Not for profit organisations
• Government agencies/departments
• International organisations (Seek.com.au, August, 2007)
• Manufacturing sector
• Engineering and construction sector (MyCareer.com.au, 14 August, 2007)

Job listings

apsjobs.gov.au. (06 August 2007). Management Systems Accountant. Retrieved 07 August, 2007 from 
http://www.fmc.gov.au/html/jobs1.html

itjobswatch.co.uk (28 August 2007). System Accountant jobs. Retrieved 27 August, 2007 from

http://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/jobs/uk/systems%20accountant.do

CareerOne.com.au. (07 August, 2007). Systems Accountant. Retrieved 07 August, 2007 from http://jobs.careerone.com.au/texis/jobsearch/details.html?id=46b6a17748dd60&q=Systems%20Accountant&qField=Title&qState=NSW&qCountry=Australia&qSort=smart&qMatch=all&pp=20&view=1&page=1

CareerOne.com.au. (06 August, 2007). Systems Accountant. Retrieved 07 August, 2007 from http://jobs.careerone.com.au/texis/jobsearch/details.html?id=469b461748d1ba0&q=Systems%20Accountant&qField=Title&qState=NSW&qCountry=Australia&qSort=smart&qMatch=all&pp=20&view=1&page=1

CareerOne.com.au. (06 August, 2007). Systems Accountant. Retrieved 07 August, 2007 from http://jobs.careerone.com.au/texis/jobsearch/details.html?id=46a9fd5048dc30&q=Systems%20Accountant&qField=Title&qState=NSW&qCountry=Australia&qSort=smart&qMatch=all&pp=20&view=1&page=1

CareerOne.com.au. (06 August, 2007). Systems Development Accountant. Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://jobs.careerone.com.au/texis/jobsearch/details.html?id=46a5449448d4f0&q=Systems%20Development%20Accountant&qField=All&qState=NSW&qCountry=Australia&qSort=smart&qMatch=all&pp=20&view=1&page=1

MyCareer.com.au. (7 August 2007). Financial System Analyst, Systems Accountant. Retreived 07 August, 2007 from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/sydney/accounting/systems-accounting/5310150+financial+systems+analyst+systems+accountant.aspx

MyCareer.com.au. (6 August, 2007). SAP Systems Accountant. Retreived 06 August, 2007 from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/woden-2606-act/accounting/systems-accounting/5307959+sap+systems+accountant+k+pkg.aspx?style=enhanced

MyCareer.com.au. (7 August 2007). Systems Accoutant. Retrieved 07 August, 2007 from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/sydney/accounting/systems-accounting/5300088+systems+accountant.aspx

MyCareer.com.au. (28 August 2007). Systems Accoutant. Retrieved 28 August, 2007 from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/sydney/accounting/systems-accounting/5347572+systems+accountant.aspx

Seek.com.au. (July, 2007). Accountant. Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=28&PageNumber=1&JobID=10127201

Seek.com.au. (July, 2007). Accounts Assistant. Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=41&PageNumber=1&JobID=10128030+

Seek.com.au. (July, 2007). Assistant accountant. Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from
http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=44&PageNumber=1&JobID=10127605

Seek.com.au. (23 July 2007). Systems Accountant. Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/ViewJobAdPrintFriendly.aspx?jobID=9999728

Seek.com.au. (8 August 2007). Systems Accountant. Retrieved 08 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=102&PageNumber=1&JobID=10143474

Seek.com.au. (06 August 2007). Systems Accountant. Retrieved 08 August 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=40&PageNumber=1&JodID=10120930

Seek.com.au. (20 July 2007). Systems Accountant/Business Analyst. Retrieved 08 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=110&PageNumber=1&JobID=9981229

Wyndham City Council (07 August 2007). Systems Accountant. Retrieved 07 August 2007 from http://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/freestyler/gui/files/Systems%20Accountant%20Mar2007.pdf\\

Seek.com.au. (14 August 2007). Systems/Management Accountant. Retrieved 15 August 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=47&PageNumber=1&JobID=10203904[]

MyCareer.com.au. (14 August 2007). Contract Systems Accoutant. Retrieved 19 August, 2007 from
http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/perth/accounting/other-accounting/5336308+contract+systems+accountant.aspx?style=enhanced&nbsp

Differences observed

Financial System Analyst position is only open for permanent Australian citizens, in comparison to the SAP Systems Accountant to open to anyone as long as they hold an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

Systems Accountant roles are very similar to Management Accountant roles, which is generally the job description that they are advertised in the ACT.

In comparing different listed jobs for Systems Accountants I have noticed that there are two different approaches to the role of the position. The first approach is that the role is to review, design or re-engineer, implement, test and train stakeholders with relation to accounting information systems. This first perception of the role tends to be of a project nature and is noticeable in the short-term contract positions that are advertised. The second approach is that the role is one of a business as usual nature where position is to act as a systems administrator and/or business analyst involved in the accounting information systems. Advertisements of the business as usual model also require budgeting, end of month reporting/reconciling and costing, all of which are traditionally Management Accounting functions. The CPA does not recognise the role of systems accountant as a core area or specialisation in the accounting profession (CPA Australia, 2007), thus there still needs to be professional recognition and clarification of the role. I have developed the opinion that a Systems Accountant role is more in the form of the first role of accounting systems design and implementation.

In relation to searching for different job advertisements the most useful website is JobSearch.com.au. This website is an umbrella style webpage providing links to various different job search engines.

The three most successful search engines found for this particular role were MyCareer, CareerOne and Seek.  Through analysing the three webpages I found that CareerOne has the most clearly presented, user friendly homepage.  MyCareer has very clearly presented job advertisements, with plenty of colour making it very eye-catching.  Once a search topic has been specified, MyCareer clearly shows various results with the salary categorised on the right hand side, the date listed below, the name of the recruitment agency, the location and a few lines of the advertisement

Using CareerOne and Seek as my choice of study, I looked at all positions available  under "Systems Accountant" around Australia. These were the results, as of 07 August, 2007: 

Well ladies and gentlement, from those results, Canberra doesn't seem to have too much opportunity for anyone wishing to be a Systems Accountant.

Looks as though people wishing to pursue this career are best advised to search in bigger cities, such as Sydney,  Melbourne, and possibly Brisbane.  

The main recruitment agencies that have been come across in relation to this position, and therefore would be recommended to register with, include:

• Hudson
• Hays
• Select Appointments
• Robert Half
• Michael Page International

I think the 2 most useful websites to serch jobs are careerone.com. and seek.com.According to this job role those web sites are presenting job advertisements clearly and attractivly. 

Other References used

CareerOne.com.au. (July, 2007). Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://careerone.com.au

CareerOne.com.au. (June, 2007). Sector Commentary, Information Technology. Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from
http://www.careerone.com.au/accountants

Jobsearch.com.au. (August, 2007). Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://jobsearch.com.au

MyCareer.com.au. (August, 2007). Retreived 06 August, 2007 from http://mycareer.com.au/job-search.aspx

MyCareer.com.au. (August, 2007). SAP Systems accounting. Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/woden-2606-act/accounting/systems-accounting/5307959+sap+systems+accountant+k+pkg.aspx?style=enhanced

Seek.com.au. (August, 2007). Job details_._ Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=24&PageNumber=1&JobID=10128030

The Good Guides. Retreived 06 August, 2007 from
http://www.thegoodguides.com.au/ggcontent/career/id/221111B

Wikipedia.org. (2007) System accountants. Retrieved 06 August, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/accountants

CPA Australia. Retreived 15 August, 2007 from
https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3F57FECA-B805FF9F/cpa/hs.xsl/802_6321_ENA_HTML.htm

Comments ( Hide )

Robert John Wade says: From my experience working in a Financial Branch of a Commonwealth Government department Systems accountants or Accountants with systems expertise are in great demand.  All departments require the services and in a very tight and small labour market such as the ACT, if you have these skills you are very marketable. As most departments, including the 2 largest (Defence and Centrelink) run SAP Financial and HR programsthen if you have SAP and accounting qualifications your job opportunties are greatly increased. In the Dept of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs there would be 5 or 6 positions over the department that could be described as Systems Accountants with the majority receiving in excess of $80,000pa as a base salary with annual retention bonuses of 5% of salary paid if you remain with the department. Aug 20, 2007 12:05 ( Permalink )

u3020858 says: Yap i too agree with this statement.+Systems Accountant is playing major role of the organisations.I think it's a realy interesting job. Aug 21, 2007 10:26 ( Permalink )

Fragiskos Korres says: There are a lot of positions available in Systematic Accounting including Canberra. Most of it was general it could of have a bit more updated information on some current jobs. Aug 28, 2007 07:16 ( Permalink )

Robert John Wade says: Not sure I agree with the following statement if its is only based on positions advertised over a two month period; "Well ladies and gentlement, from those results, Canberra doesn't seem to have too much opportunity for anyone wishing to be a Systems Accountant."  It seems a generalisation based on the small sample size of this exercise. Aug 21, 2007 11:01 ( Permalink )