Financial Accountant

University of Otago; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 101,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Dunedin seeks a Financial Accountant to join their Financial Control team. This full-time role requires expertise in accounting, audit, and taxation to ensure compliance with standards. The ideal candidate will be tertiary qualified with CA membership and possess strong communication and organisational skills. The position offers a salary range of $80,749 to $85,649 and promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Five weeks’ annual leave

6.75% superannuation scheme

Work/life balance

Qualifications

• Strong grasp of accounting standards relevant to the public sector.
• Understanding of local tax law and compliance obligations.
• Comfortable supporting and mentoring team members.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced accounting and audit activities.
• Deliver expert financial advice.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards and policies.

Skills

High-level communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Detail-oriented mindset

Organisational skills

Education

Tertiary qualification and CA membership

Job description

Overview

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION | TE RATOKA PŪTEA

FINANCIAL CONTROL

The role | Te mahi

We are seeking a highly skilled Financial Accountant to join our central Financial Control team. In this role, you will perform advanced accounting, audit, taxation, group reporting, and related activities for the University and its subsidiaries. You will ensure that key information included in University and Group accounts is managed effectively, efficiently, and to a high standard, within required deadlines. As a trusted advisor, you’ll deliver expert financial advice while maintaining the integrity of financial information and ensuring compliance with relevant standards, policies, and legislation.

Your skills and experience

Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

You will be a hands-on accountant, someone who loves connecting and building relationships with those around them. You’ll bring a detail-oriented mindset, exceptional organisational skills, and the ability to meet competing deadlines. You must have high-level communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and professionally.

Other skills and qualifications required include:

• Tertiary qualified and CA membership with a recognised professional body.
• Strong grasp of accounting standards, especially those relevant to public sector.
• Understanding of local tax law, compliance obligations, and regulatory requirements.
• Confident communicator, comfortable supporting and mentoring team members and colleagues.
• Dedication to working in a culturally safe and respectful manner and demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, and Pasifika values.

About our team

Mō te tīma

Te Ratoka Pūtea, the Financial Services Division plays a crucial role in ensuring financial stability and efficiency through key functions, including Financial Accounting Services, Management Accounting Services, Procurement, and Financial Systems.

Further details

Pūroko

This is a fixed-term role (December 2025 to December 2026 - 13 months) full time (37.5 hours) position, based in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.

The appointments range for this role is $80,749 to $85,649. Top of range $100,776.

You must be eligible to work in New Zealand to apply for this role.

The University of Otago is a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking, people, and behaviours. This means that the contributions of staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills, and perspectives are valued and respected.

We offer competitive salary, five weeks’ annual leave, a 6.75% superannuation scheme, and the ability to achieve real work/life balance.

For further information, or to discuss the role in confidence, please contact Charné Hudson via the contact details below

Application details

Tono

To submit your application (including CV and cover letter) please click the apply button. Applications quoting reference number 2501345 will close on Tuesday, 14 October 2025.

Applications may be reviewed as they are received, and the University reserves the right to close this vacancy at any time.