By the Accounting and Frameworks Branch at the Department of Finance
Whether you're building your career in accounting and finance, managing a finance team, or navigating complex technical requirements, the Department of Finance's Accounting and Frameworks Branch has collated a comprehensive suite of resources to support you.
From recruitment and retention guidance for managers, to career planning frameworks, technical training materials, and active communities of practice, these tools are designed to strengthen both individual capability and the professionalism of the APS accounting and finance workforce as a whole. As we start 2026, take time to explore what's available—you'll find practical support for your current role, guidance to help career moves, and opportunities to connect with colleagues across the Commonwealth who share your professional interests and challenges.
Recruitment and retention resources for managers
- Graduate Programs – information on graduate recruitment in the APS, including the Accounting and Financial Management Stream
- Principles for recruitment, mentoring and secondments (document available on request) – suggested principles for the development of APS accounting and finance professional staff
- APS Accounting and Finance Profession Workforce Strategy (document available on request) – includes suggested actions for Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and accountable authorities in attracting, developing and retaining accounting and finance professionals
- Specialist panellist for Accounting and Finance SES vacancies – information on selection panel requirements for Accounting and Finance Senior Executive Service (SES) positions.
Career Planning
APS Accounting and Finance Capability Framework – This document outlines the capability framework across levels from junior to senior staff, including CFOs. It will assist you in identifying your skill and knowledge gaps in your current or future roles and support you working with your manager to gain that knowledge and experience. This document also includes the specific capability expectations for CFOs and contains a road map to show you how different experiences, skills and opportunities can lead you to a future career as a CFO.
Technical accounting policy and guidance
Accounting policy guidance is designed to support, and be read, in conjunction with the Commonwealth entities financial statements guide, Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Financial Reporting) Rule 2015, and Australian Accounting Standards (AASs) . Technical accounting policy and guidance documents include Resource Management Guides, position papers, presentation notes, finance guidance, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Technical Training
Previous technical training and information sessions run by the Department of Finance are available in the APS Accounting and Finance Professional Network GovTEAMS Community (see below for how to join). These include:
- Appropriations Reporting in Financial Statements
- Financial Reporting Framework
- Charging Framework
- Capital Budgeting for Commonwealth Entities
- An introduction to Appropriations - Appropriations Masterclass
- Portfolio Budget Statements Tips and Tricks
- Financial Stewardship Forum presentation slides.
Key legislation and other guidance
The following guidance may also be useful for accounting and finance professionals when providing advice to their internal stakeholders on compliance with Commonwealth legislation and financial management matters:
- Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act)
- PGPA Rule 2014
- The Budget Process
- eLearning training on Commonwealth Resource Management Framework
- PGPA Flipchart
- List of Resource Management Guides
- Procurement - Tools and support for procuring officers
- ComCover - Learning Resources on Risk Management
- Financial reporting and accounting policy – guidance on financial reporting requirements for Commonwealth entities under the PGPA (Financial Reporting) Rule 2015
- Managing Commonwealth Resources – guidance on the PGPA framework surrounding the use and management of Commonwealth resources, such as money/appropriations, assets, planning and reporting
- Grants – information on the rules around grants to external entities
- Property and construction – guidance on entering and managing leases, and property management
- Government - other guidance relevant to APS employees
- Government entities and taxation – guidance from the Australian Taxation Office
APS Accounting and Finance Professional Network GovTEAMS Community
This community is a one-stop-shop, where you can access resources and connect with accounting and finance colleagues across the APS. We have created channels for you to share knowledge, mobility and learning and development opportunities, communities of practice, and related information.
The Community is open to APS staff and staff of Commonwealth entities and Commonwealth companies.
Join the APS Accounting and Finance Professional Network.
Financial Stewardship Forum
The Financial Stewardship Forum is a regular meeting of CFOs and other key finance officers of Commonwealth entities. The Forum provides information on current accounting and financial reporting issues, presented by the Department of Finance.
For more information, see the Financial Stewardship Forum page.
Communities of Practice (CoPs)
Communities of practice are groups of people working in the same field, who come together to share ideas, exhibit their work, solve problems and explore best practice.
Accounting and Finance CoPs allow practitioners from across the APS to collaborate and share challenges, issues and ideas for best practice in specific technical areas, draw on the knowledge and expertise of Finance, the professional bodies and other entities.
There are a number of CoPs that have been established across the APS:
