Small Business Financial Counsellor

Western Queensland region – supporting areas impacted by flooding

Full time

Contract to 30 June 2027

Eligible locations: Barcoo Shire Council, Boulia Shire Council, Bulloo Shire Council, Diamantina Shire Council, Longreach Shire Council, Murweh Shire Council, Paroo Shire Council, Quilpie Shire Council and Winton Shire Council.

Note: Preference for candidates based in these areas, however consideration shall be given to structured remote work arrangements, provided regular travel to these areas is undertaken.

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 the Western Queensland Surface Trough and Associated Rainfall and Flooding, 21 March – 19 May 2025 (Barcoo Shire Council, Boulia Shire Council, Bulloo Shire Council, Diamantina Shire Council, Longreach Shire Council, Murweh Shire Council, Paroo Shire Council, Quilpie Shire Council and Winton Shire Council areas). Assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Preference for candidates based in these areas however consideration shall be given to structured remote work arrangements, provided regular travel to these areas is undertaken.

See our websites for further information about the services we deliver:

· www.brs.org.au

· www.rsq.org.au

· www.rfcssq.org.au

· www.sbfcssq.org.au

The role

Within the Small Business Financial Counselling Service, we are seeking to appoint a Small Business Financial Counsellor in Western Queensland. 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 Barcoo Shire Council, Boulia Shire Council, Bulloo Shire Council, Diamantina Shire Council, Longreach Shire Council, Murweh Shire Council, Paroo Shire Council, Quilpie Shire Council and Winton Shire Council flood-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.

Employees located in the eligible areas shall receive five weeks annual recreation leave and a Western Queensland Allowance included in the package, plus four additional days (one per quarter) of professional, health and development leave (PHD leave). Employees not located in the eligible area receive four weeks of recreation leave and do not qualify for the Western Queensland Allowance.

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 following selection criteria prior to the interview.

Selection criteria

Detail your experience and ability to conduct detailed financial analysis of a small business client’s position, including viability assessments, cash flow analysis, forward budgeting and risk analysis.

Detail your ability and preparedness to provide mentoring to individual and client groups regarding business improvement and resilience opportunities.

Provide an overview of your prior experience in supporting small businesses to negotiate for creditors, banks and other parties.

Summarise your experience in planning and managing your own workflow to achieve set outcomes whilst working as part of a dispersed team. Please also detail your understanding of the OH&S requirements of operating autonomously.

Detail your experience in undertaking outreach activities to raise awareness of the Small Business Financial Counselling Service to clients and amongst industry stakeholders (e.g. holding seminars and info sessions, participating at field days and conducting stakeholder engagement).

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.