What's your job about?

I work at the ANAO, an office that audits other government departments. I joined as a grad in 2009, and I am currently part of a team looking at performance audits in the Social Services space.

A typical performance audit involves finding evidence that provides answers to specific criteria. We undertake analysis and make judgements upon the quality of that information to determine whether the department under investigation has met the audit criteria.

My work involves the collection, transfer and cleaning of data, so that it can be analysed effectively. I undertake some of the analysis myself and contribute wording for specific criteria. I also provide administrative support to my team.

We question departmental staff to ensure that we understand how and why they do things. We liaise with them to ensure that we haven’t missed anything and to give them a chance to respond to our findings. As the audit progresses, and we become more confident in our evidence, our questions become more specific.

We share our findings with the ANAO executive at several stages during the Audit to ensure that our analysis is accurate and complete. Our final report is sent to the department being audited, who are given a chance to respond to our findings before it is tabled in Parliament.

My work is varied in its complexity, content and timeframes. In the course of a week, I can be creating graphs and tables, taking meeting notes, organising files, analysing words and numbers, proof-reading, or looking up historical data. 

What's your background?

I grew up in Uranquinty in the Riverina, then Melbourne.

I went on working holidays in the UK and Japan, with a wide variety of different jobs. Japan was really interesting and fun, so much so that I had “reverse homesickness” when I came back to Australia.

I started as a graduate at DIISR, and then worked at the ABS, the AEC and DEWR — but found that I wasn’t suited to policy or program work. I also spent some years as a tour guide at Parliament House. That had its appeal but was very limited in terms of variety or skills development.

Just over a year ago, I saw an ANAO ad online asking “Are you curious?” I thought, yes, I am, so I applied. It was a very different job interview to the usual ones, as the ANAO panel were interested in what I was curious about, and how I followed my curiosity. They were looking for people who were willing to learn — since the ANAO is willing to train people with the right attitude. I am still impressed at how much training they provide.

I am really happy at the ANAO. There is opportunity here in many different directions, and as the audits change over time, I feel that I am getting both broader and deeper experience simultaneously. It also has a friendly culture in a well-located building.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes, this role doesn’t need a specific type of education.

In terms of personal attributes, being conscientious and persistent is really important here, as our work needs to be complete and accurate as much as possible. Much of the data we collect is incomplete or disorganized, but it’s up to us to get it into shape. Putting the time and effort in to organise it properly will save a lot of stress down the line.

Be humble. When you make a mistake, own up to it. Likewise, feel free to ask for help — you’re not expected to be an expert on every audit topic you come across.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I respect the ANAO Executive and leadership because they walk the talk around integrity, leading by example with grace and respect. As far as I am concerned, we help maintain public trust in democracy.

I like finding either patterns or gaps in the data, especially when it provides solid evidence towards a finding. Even when I’m tired, I know that every task counts towards our final report. When Senators at Estimates use our work to demand accountability of public service departments, it is very satisfying to know that our work makes a difference.

What are the limitations of your job?

If you want fast results, and to be the centre of attention, the ANAO won’t suit you.
This job is like mining by hand—much of the work can be repetitive and banal, but you do the boring stuff in order to find some valuable evidence.

Resilience and calmness are important. Many people don’t like being audited and are not necessarily cooperative—but staying polite and professional really matters.

We not only need to act with integrity, but we need to be perceived as doing so to maintain the trust of the Parliament and the public.

Advice for yourself when you were a student...

Look for how the things you enjoy line up with problems that need solving. What will be needed to solve them—is it research, information, funding, manpower, or disruption? Then work out how to develop the skills or networks in order to bring those resources to bear on the problem.

What separates you from others with your degree? Who can you partner with to learn how to connect knowledge from wildly disparate fields? How do you get to practice that skill consistently and to prove your problem-solving skills effectively?