Accounts Advisor - Payables

Environment Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Canterbury is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Advisor in Christchurch. The role focuses on processing invoices, purchase orders and payments efficiently while providing guidance on financial processes across the organisation.

You will support kaimahi with advice on accounts payable workflows, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, and help strengthen procurement-to-pay across our operations in Canterbury.

Qualifications

• Experience working in accounts payable or a broader finance function.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Experience working with high-volume transactional systems.
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Processing invoices, purchase orders and payment runs accurately and on time.
• Providing support and advice on accounts payable processes and procedures.
• Reconciling supplier accounts and resolving discrepancies.
• Responding to internal and external accounts payable enquiries.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes and enhance service delivery.

Skills

Accounts payable

Attention to detail

Customer service

High-volume processing

Continuous improvement

Education

Accounting/Finance/Business qualifications advantageous

Job description

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Job Category: Accounting,Environmental Services

• Process invoices, payments and purchase orders accurately
• Support continuous improvement across finance operations
• Flexible, supportive team environment in Christchurch

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

You’ll be an experienced Accounts Payable professional who enjoys working in a high-volume environment and takes pride in delivering accurate, customer-focused financial services. As an Accounts Payable Advisor, you'll play a key role in ensuring invoices, purchase orders and payment transactions are processed efficiently while supporting kaimahi across the organisation with advice and guidance on financial processes.

This role also contributes to continuous improvement initiatives within the procure-to-pay function, helping to strengthen systems, processes and compliance across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Processing invoices, purchase orders and payment runs accurately and on time.
• Providing support and advice on accounts payable processes and procedures.
• Reconciling supplier accounts and resolving discrepancies.
• Responding to internal and external accounts payable enquiries.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes and enhance service delivery.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You'll be an organised and detail-oriented finance professional who enjoys working collaboratively and delivering excellent customer service. You'll have a strong understanding of accounts payable processes and a proven ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.

Mātau Ā-Wheako │ Experience

• Experience working in accounts payable or a broader finance function.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Experience working with high-volume transactional systems.
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• At least three years' experience across accounts payable and wider accounting functions.
• Experience processing financial transactions in high-volume environments.
• Experience reconciling accounts and resolving discrepancies.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines while maintaining high levels of accuracy.
• Accounting, Finance or Business qualifications are advantageous.

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury

Our Mahi Is Underpinned By Our Values

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can

Job Description

Job Description: