Financial Accountant

Marketplace; Wellington; Remote; NZD 122,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life cover

Critical illness protection

Discounted insurances

Free will services

Mortgage guidance

Job summary

NZ Defence Force in Wellington is seeking a Financial Accountant to join its Financial Accounting Team. You will provide technical accounting guidance, prepare financial statements, and support staff development, ensuring compliance with Crown and departmental reporting obligations.

The role requires CA qualification and substantial public sector accounting experience, with strong treasury, cash management and FX analysis skills.

Qualifications

• Qualified Chartered Accountant with practical finance/accounting experience.
• Experience in large complex organisations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NZ Public Sector financial management practices.
• Experience in treasury, cash management and FX reporting.
• Ability to meet deadlines with initiative and autonomy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to prepare high-standard documents.

Responsibilities

• Prepare month-end and year-end close processes and financial reporting.
• Produce technical update working papers, ministerial and CFO briefings.
• Support external audit with Audit New Zealand.
• Monitor legislative changes and propagate policy updates within the team.
• Identify improvements and lead business improvement projects.
• Mentor and develop less experienced colleagues.

Skills

Public sector accounting

Treasury & FX analysis

Deadline-driven

Financial problem-solving

Autonomy

Communication skills

Mentoring

ERP/BI experience

Education

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Tools

Major ERP package

Business Intelligence System

Job description

# Financial Accountant at NZ Defence Force, Wellington - Wairarapa## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role**Mō te tūnga | About the role**Our Financial Accountants are an integral member of the Financial Accounting Team, providing valued support to the Manager Financial Accounting, and Senior Financial Accountants. Our Financial Accounting Team is responsible for providing the financial processes and policies to ensure NZDF meets its Crown and Departmental modelling, budgeting and reporting obligations.You will provide technical accounting advice, prepare financial statements and support the development of less experienced members of the team. You will be central to ensuring the NZDF meets all its legislative financial requirements.You will be required to:* Prepare month-end and year-end close processes and financial reporting.* Facilitate the preparation and delivery of high quality technical update working papers, ministerial briefings, and CFO briefings.* Support the management of the external audit process with Audit New Zealand.* Keep up to date on changes to legislation and policy and promulgate this across the team.* Identify opportunities for improvement and lead business improvement projects.Start 2027 with a fresh challenge and join our team from mid-January and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity with lots of professional development opportunities.**Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience**We need your technical financial accounting skills and practical experience. Bring your new ideas and initiative to contribute to our high performing team.You must be a fully qualified Chartered Accountant with practical experience in finance, accounting, or a similar role, ideally in a large complex organisation.You will have:* Excellent working knowledge of relevant internal and external standards, principles, policies, statutes, regulations and NZ Public Sector financial management practices.* Experience within a treasury function, including practical knowledge of cash management and foreign exchange analysis and reporting.* Ability to operate to deadlines, and plan work ahead.* Excellent research and financial problem-solving and decision-making skills.* Proven ability to demonstrate initiative and good judgment while operating with a high level of autonomy.* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience preparing written documents to a high standard.* Experience mentoring and developing less experienced colleagues.* Experience with a major ERP package and Business Intelligence System.The salary range for this role is $122,341 through to $142,551, inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution.**Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you**Safeguard 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 pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply**Applications close on **Monday 23 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:Higher Level Security Clearance* You **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 ten (10) years.* You **must** have a ten (10) 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.## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | NZ Defence Force || Location: | Wellington - Wairarapa || Position type: | Ongoing - Full Time || Category: | Accounting & finance || Date listed: | 10-Nov-2026 || Salary range: | N/A || Closing date: | 23-Nov-2026 || Reference: | NZ/DF-2611023 || Attachment: | No File Attached || File links: | || Website: | www.nzdf.mil.nz/ |Note: You may be redirected to the employer's careers website.