Financial Accountant | Kaikaute Ahumoni

Qjumpers; Manawatū-Whanganui; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Horowhenua District Council is seeking an experienced Financial Accountant to own financial reporting, maintain data integrity and provide expert technical accounting guidance across the organisation.

You will lead monthly and annual statements, contribute to the Annual Report, and support audits while driving process improvements and robust controls.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in accounting or finance and CA ANZ status or equivalent.
• At least five years' accounting experience including financial statements and external audits.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence with financial management systems.
• Proactive, solutions-focused approach and ability to improve processes.
• Ability to build relationships and support others across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements and statutory disclosures.
• Coordinate financial components of the Annual Report and liaise with external auditors.
• Strengthen balance sheet reconciliations, financial controls and reporting processes.
• Provide technical expertise across treasury, infrastructure assets and complex accounting matters.
• Support financial planning, forecasting and the Long-Term Plan.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes and lift reporting quality.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Accounting standards

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Education

Tertiary qualification in accounting or finance

CA ANZ status or equivalent

Tools

Financial management systems

Job description

Join a Finance team where your technical expertise matters, your ideas are valued and you'll have the opportunity to shape how we do things.

Enabling what matters

At Horowhenua District Council, good financial management is about more than balancing the books. It's about making informed decisions, protecting public resources and supporting a thriving community.

We're looking for an experienced Financial Accountant who enjoys getting into the detail, tackling technical challenges and finding smarter ways of working.

This is a hands-on role where you'll take ownership of Council's financial reporting, help maintain the integrity of our financial information and provide trusted technical accounting advice across the organisation.

You'll play a leading role in:

• Preparing monthly and annual financial statements and statutory disclosures.
• Coordinating the financial components of our Annual Report and working closely with external auditors.
• Strengthening balance sheet reconciliations, financial controls and reporting processes.
• Providing technical expertise across treasury, infrastructure assets and complex accounting matters.
• Supporting financial planning, forecasting and Council's Long-Term Plan.
• Identifying opportunities to simplify processes, improve systems and lift the quality of financial reporting.

We're not just looking for someone who can produce the numbers. We want someone who can challenge how things are done, spot issues early and help us do things better.

You're a technically strong accountant who takes pride in accuracy but also sees the bigger picture. You're comfortable working independently, can juggle competing deadlines and know how to turn complex accounting matters into practical advice.

You'll bring:

• A tertiary qualification in accounting or finance and Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ) status or equivalent.
• At least five years' relevant accounting experience, including financial statements, external audits and technical financial reporting.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial management systems.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and a genuine interest in improving how things work.
• The confidence to build relationships, share your expertise and support others across the organisation.

Experience in local government, the wider public sector or an asset-intensive organisation would be an advantage, but it's not essential. We're equally interested in the skills, fresh thinking and experience you could bring from elsewhere.

You'll also bring an appreciation of tikanga Māori and Māori values, and a commitment to our values of Mahi Tahi, #arohatōmahi, Manaakitanga and Tiakitanga.

Horowhenua District Council is an inclusive, forward-thinking organisation where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, challenge the status quo and make a difference.

We value collaboration, continuous improvement and people who take ownership of what they do. You'll be part of a team committed to supporting one another, delivering quality work and achieving great outcomes for our community.

A chance to make your mark at a time of significant change.

We're investing in the future of our financial systems and processes, and you'll have the opportunity to be right in the middle of it.

You’ll enjoy a varied role, exposure to complex and interesting accounting matters, opportunities for professional development and the satisfaction of knowing your work contributes directly to the future of Horowhenua.

If you're looking for a role where you can do more than just report the numbers, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a full-time, permanent position based at our Council offices in Levin.

If you're ready to bring your technical expertise, curiosity and improvement mindset to a role where you can make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

With many hands the threads which weave our neighbourhoods and communities together will be strengthened from the Tararua Ranges to the sea.