Small Business Financial Counsellor

Three roles – supporting small businesses impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred

Various locations in Southern Queensland

Full time

Contract to 30 June 2027

The organisation

Business & Rural Solutions Limited (BRS) is a leading not-for-profit organisation providing services that empower rural and small businesses and their communities. Key programs that we deliver include the Rural Financial Counselling Service, Business Wellness Coaching Program and the Small Business Financial Counselling Service across Southern Queensland. These programs are funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government.

With offices based across our Southern Queensland service region, we believe in having our people embedded in the communities we support. BRS has received consecutive funding to deliver the Rural Financial Counselling Service since October 2006 and has delivered the Queensland Government Small Business Financial Counselling Service since early 2020.

Within the Small Business Financial Counselling Service, we have recently been provided funding to appoint a Small Business Financial Counsellor to support small businesses impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred and Associated Severe Weather, 1 March – 16 March 2025 (Brisbane City Council, Bundaberg Regional Council, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Gold Coast City Council, Gympie Regional Council, Ipswich City Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City Council, City of Moreton Bay, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, Southern Downs Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council). Assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The role

Within the Small Business Financial Counselling Service, we are seeking to appoint three Small Business Financial Counsellors in the region impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred and Associated Severe Weather event of 1 March – 16 March 2025. This forms part of our Small Business Support Network and shall work collaboratively with our established Small Business Financial Counsellors, Rural Financial Counsellors and Business Wellness Coaches throughout Southern Queensland, focusing exclusively on small businesses located within the Brisbane City Council, Bundaberg Regional Council, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Gold Coast City Council, Gympie Regional Council, Ipswich City Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City Council, City of Moreton Bay, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, Southern Downs Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council impacted areas.

The focus of this role is to support small businesses who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, financial difficulty by:

operating as a support network with other Rural and Small Business Financial Counsellors and Business Wellness Coaches

completing a financial analysis consisting of a business’s annual cash flow budget/s, statement of assets and liabilities, cash flow analysis and options for business improvement

when appropriate, assist operators to negotiate arrangements with their financial institutions, landlords and/or creditors

encourage operators to seek professional advice to develop longer term strategies and plans to improve preparedness

refer operators to a network of professional service providers for advice with legal, accounting and financial planning and investment matters and social and welfare matters.

Eligible clients for this program are businesses who are:

small business enterprises located in the eligible areas

experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, financial hardship.

In undertaking their role, a Small Business Financial Counsellor shall help clients to:

understand their financial position

understand the benefits and drawbacks of different options to manage financial issues

develop budgets and cash flows

negotiate with creditors

access dispute resolution services

understand their rights and access broader professional advice and support

access government and community grants, programs or schemes.

Small Business Financial Counsellors do not provide financial advice, family, emotional or social counselling or prepare business plans but do provide referrals to appropriate professionals (including the Business Wellness Coaching Program).

Key requirements of the role

To be successful in the role of Small Business Financial Counsellor, knowledge of the following shall be required or need to be rapidly obtained:

cash flow budgeting and financial analysis

business and enterprise planning

small business issues and challenges in the current economic climate

small business viability assessment

loan structures and small business lending practices

banker/creditor negotiation

current class C driver licence

Microsoft Office (required) and Salesforce (desirable) applications.

In addition, a Small Business Financial Counsellor needs to be equipped with a professional and empathetic outlook, combined with proven communication and interpersonal skills. Financial Counsellors also need to be able to work autonomously whilst remaining part of a small and close-knit team. Undertaking outreach and associated activities to promote the service to potential clients is a key requirement of the role.

Diploma of Financial Counselling

All Financial Counsellors need to either hold or be prepared to obtain a Diploma of Financial Counselling. Applicants who already hold this diploma shall be highly regarded. If not held, applicants must be prepared to commence study towards the diploma within three months of starting employment and obtain the diploma within two years. Diploma costs shall be met by BRS.

Remuneration

Base salary of $102,043.50 for a full-time position (without diploma) or $106,411.50 once the Diploma of Financial Counselling is attained, plus superannuation. As a not-for-profit, all employees have access to salary sacrificing of up to $18,550 p.a. including rent and living expenses via AccessPay. Portable Long Service Leave contributions are paid to QLeave.

Four weeks annual recreation leave is included in the package, plus four additional days (one per quarter) of professional, health and development leave (PHD leave). Further information on the Small Business Financial Counselling Service and the role of a Financial Counsellor is located at www.sbfcssq.org.au.

To apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] by close of business Monday 3 November 2025 or contact our team on 1300 732 777 for further information.

Note: Applicants shortlisted for interview will be requested to respond to the selection criteria detailed on our website www.sbfcssq.org.au/careers prior to the interview.

Following completion of an interview process, the successful candidate shall be required to undergo a criminal history check and CV check and may be requested to complete a medical check.