Research Accountant

• Specialist research finance portfolio / partner with leading researchers on impactful projects / join a collaborative, high-performance finance team
• Apply now to shape research success through expert financial stewardship, insightful analysis and trusted advice to researchers.
• Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

Your next career opportunity

In this Research Accountant role, you will support researchers to maximise funding and deliver compliant, impactful projects. You will provide end-to-end financial guidance, modelling and reporting, while driving service improvements across Research Finance.

What you will deliver:

• Provide proactive financial advice, budgeting, forecasting and analysis to researchers across a defined research project portfolio.
• Manage end-to-end financial administration for research projects, including set-up, monitoring, invoicing, reporting and final acquittals.
• Ensure compliance with funder rules, contracts and University finance policies, maintaining accurate, transparent records and reports.
• Build strong relationships with researchers, faculties and finance teams, acting as a trusted advisor on research funding.
• Contribute to process improvement and system changes within Research Finance, enhancing efficiency and client service.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a relevant accounting degree and CA or CPA qualification, or be actively progressing towards professional accreditation.
• Demonstrate strong relationship management skills, explaining complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Apply advanced Excel and financial modelling capabilities to interpret data, forecast performance and support decision-making.
• Exercise sound judgement and initiative, managing competing priorities independently in a changing, ambiguous environment.
• Deliver proactive, user-friendly client service, with excellent written and verbal communication and solid management accounting knowledge.
• Engage in process mapping and continuous improvement activities to streamline finance workflows and support a high-performance culture.

Your new team – Chief Financial Operating Group

Within the Chief Financial Officer Group, Research Finance ensures research funding is well managed, transparent and sustainable. The team partners with researchers across the University, offering end-to-end financial support from pre-award to final acquittal. You will join a collaborative, service-focused group that values continuous improvement, high performance and clear, practical advice. Your work will help world-leading researchers focus on discovery, confident their finances meet funder requirements.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at oied-hr@unimelb.edu.au.

Application essentials:

• Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
• Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Adrian Ellul via email: adrian.ellul@unimelb.edu.au
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Alessandro Storani at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Apply today and join a community that’s shaping the future.

Applications Close: Sunday 26 April 2026 - 11:55pm Melbourne Time

Position Description: PD_JR-011628 Research Accountant.docx