A. E. Jobson started work at the age of 14 as a junior clerk with Australian Mutual Provident Society in Melbourne. He later studied to become an accountant, qualifying as an Associate of the Institute of Actuaries, London, in 1896. He moved to Sydney in 1902, where he became actuary for Australasia for the Equitable Life Assurance Association of the United States. In 1905, he marrried the daughter of Judge Alfred McFarland, Madaline Ruth and started his own business as a consulting accountant and actuary the following year.
From 1906-1916 Jobson wrote a weekly column on finance for the Sydney Sun. He also wrote his only book, The Adventures of Russell Howard during this period.
With a keen interest in the military, Jobson joined the Victorian Scottish Regiment in 1898, was commissioned in 1899 and made captain in 1902. After several promotions, he was made temporary brigadier general, trained in England, and led a brigade to France.
Resigning from military service and being awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1918, Jobson returned to Sydney. He continued to be active in military circles, and resumed writing about financial matters for Sydney newspapers. He also had some short stories published in periodicals.
