Assistant Accountant

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development in Wellington is seeking an Assistant Accountant to join our Finance team and support the financial operations of the Social Investment Agency and Social Investment Fund.

This hands-on role works closely with the CFO and managers across the agency, developing budgeting, forecasting, monthly reporting and financial analysis, and contributing to improvements in financial systems and controls.

Qualifications

• Relevant accounting experience and sound understanding of accounting principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.
• Proactive approach to improving processes and finding practical solutions.
• Accounting qualification and accreditation or working towards it.
• Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao Māori in work context.
• Public sector experience welcomed but not required.

Responsibilities

• Supporting budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and monthly reporting.
• Preparing reconciliations, journals, accruals and financial information for Treasury and other reporting requirements.
• Working with budget managers to help them understand financial information, processes and delegations.
• Supporting financial controls, policies, systems and opportunities for process improvement.
• Getting involved in a broad range of finance activities and understanding the impact of the work.

Skills

Accounting principles

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication with non-financial staff

Process improvement

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Accounting accreditation / pursuing it

Job description

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• Build your accounting experience across financial reporting, budgeting and management accounting.
• Work closely with the CFO and managers, with exposure to a broad range of finance activities.
• Contribute to improving financial systems and processes in a growing central government agency.

It's an exciting time to join us as we lead change across the public service to implement social investment and support Government to achieve better outcomes from social sector spending.

We're looking for an Assistant Accountant to join our Finance team and play an important role in supporting the financial operations of the Social Investment Agency and Social Investment Fund.

This is a varied, hands-on role where you'll work closely with the CFO, Finance team and managers across the agency. You'll have the opportunity to build your experience across management accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and financial systems, while contributing to improvements in how we work.

Your work will include:

Supporting budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and monthly reporting.

Preparing reconciliations, journals, accruals and financial information for Treasury and other reporting requirements.

Working with budget managers to help them understand financial information, processes and delegations.

Supporting financial controls, policies, systems and opportunities for process improvement.

As a relatively small agency, you'll have the opportunity to get involved in a broad range of finance activities, work closely with decision-makers and see the impact of your contribution.

You'll bring a sound understanding of accounting principles, strong attention to detail and an interest in understanding how financial information supports good business decisions.

We're looking for someone who enjoys working with people, takes ownership of their work and is comfortable balancing competing priorities.

You'll bring:

• Relevant accounting experience and a sound understanding of accounting principles and financial processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an eye for accuracy and detail.
• The ability to explain financial information clearly and build good working relationships with non-financial colleagues.
• A proactive approach to improving processes and finding practical solutions.
• A relevant tertiary qualification, together with professional accounting accreditation or an interest in working towards it.
• A working knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao Māori, and a willingness to continue developing and applying this in your work.

Experience in the public sector would be useful, but what matters most is your accounting capability, initiative and willingness to contribute.

The salary range for this role is $79,617 to $112,401. Starting salaries reflect skills and experience relevant to the role, with offers generally made between $79,617 and $93,668.

The Social Investment Agency is a central agency, set up to lead the social investment approach to improve people's lives and to support the Government to achieve better outcomes from social service expenditure.

Social investment involves using data to understand people's needs and the best prevention points, implementing evidence-based approaches to improving outcomes, and testing that they've been successful. The Agency has a particular focus on cross-sector work to address the most pervasive social sector challenges.

We are committed to having a safe and inclusive workplace and we value the diversity everyone brings. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of gender identity, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or religion.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 22 November 2026; however, we will review applications as they come in and may invite people to interview before the close date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if an ideal person is found before the close date.

We look forward to receiving your application.