Assistant Financial Accountant

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 79,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded life cover up to $300,000

Critical illness protection

Discounted insurances

Free will services

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) seeks a development‑oriented finance professional to join the Financial Accounting Team in Wellington. You will support Financial Accountants and Senior Financial Accountants with financial reporting, technical advice, and month-end close processes.

You will assist with treasury management, cash and foreign exchange analysis, and the preparation of NZDF annual financial statements.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in accounting/finance or related field.
• Willingness to work towards Chartered Accountant qualification.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with senior stakeholders.
• Clear written and verbal communications, able to meet deadlines.
• Strong numerical and qualitative analysis with good problem-solving ability.

Responsibilities

• Support Financial Accountants and Senior Financial Accountants with reporting.
• Provide financial and technical advice for reporting and analysis.
• Assist with treasury management including cash, FX, analysis and reporting.
• Help prepare NZDF annual financial statements and month‑end/year‑end close.
• Ensure financial systems and documentation meet legislative requirements.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Time management

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Autonomy

Critical thinking

Education

Tertiary qualification

Commitment to CA

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Mo te tunga | About the roleYou will be a valued member of the Financial Accounting Team, supporting the Financial Accountants and Senior Financial Accountants in the provision of financial and technical advice, and financial reporting.Support the management of the treasury function including cash management, foreign exchange, analysis, and reporting.Assist with the preparation of NZDF annual financial statements, month-end and year-end close processes and financial reporting.Provide financial analysis and advice to the NZDF Finance team and wider Finance team.Ensure NZDF's financial accounting systems, reporting activities and all financial documentation is appropriately accounted for to meet our legislative requirements.The salary for this role ranges from $78,838 - $87,477, inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Appointments within this range are based on skills and experience.Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and ExperienceThis is a development opportunity for you to kick start your accounting and finance career.You will have a relevant tertiary qualification and be committed to working towards qualification as a Chartered Accountant.You will have:Good interpersonal skills and relationship management, with demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior management.Good communication skills, orally and in writing.The ability to operate to deadlines and plan work ahead.Good quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.Good research and financial problem-solving and decision-making skills.The ability to demonstrate initiative and good judgment while operating with a high level of autonomy.The ability to think critically about tasks, systems, and problems.A good level of computer literacy including intermediate-advanced expertise in MS Excel.Nou te rourou | What's in it for youSafeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all - irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics - NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.Me pehea te tuku tono | How to ApplyApplications close on Wednesday 4 November 2026.Use the links on this page where you'll be directed to the Defence Careers website.Please Note:All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description.Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.NZDF Employees/Members - please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.NZDF Contractors - please apply via the Defence Careers website.NZDF Reserves - please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.Please Note:To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here's what you need to know:Low Level Security ClearanceYou must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last five (5) years.You must have a five (5) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.