Financial Controller

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development NZ; Wellington; On-site; NZD 138,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development NZ is seeking a Financial Controller on a fixed-term secondment to cover parental leave in Wellington. You will lead the Transport Sector Finance team, oversee accounting, reporting, and controls while guiding change through a merged organisation.

The role requires strong public sector accounting experience, NZ GAAP knowledge, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial accounting within the public sector.
• Proven leadership including coaching and mentoring.
• Strong NZ GAAP knowledge; PBE IPSAS preferred.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Continuous improvement mindset; able to navigate ambiguity.
• CA ANZ or equivalent with significant post-qualification experience.

Responsibilities

• Partner with CFO-Transport to lead finance work plan.
• Lead financial reporting, month-end and year-end reporting.
• Oversee accounts payable and receivable, expenses and cash management.
• Ensure tax compliance.
• Maintain financial controls and accounting policies.
• Lead external audit relationships.
• Design and implement future finance processes and systems.

Skills

Public sector accounting

Financial reporting

People leadership

NZ GAAP

PBE IPSAS

Stakeholder management

CA ANZ qualification

Education

CA/CPA credential

Job description

Job Description

Position Title: Financial Controller

Position Type: Fixed term or secondment parental leave cover until May 2027

Location: Wellington

About Us

The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) takes a long-term view of how New Zealand's towns, cities and regions grow and change. We work across housing, transport, the environment, urban development, infrastructure and investment, and partner closely with local government.

We provide joined-up policy and investment advice to government, support effective regulation and market settings, and work with others to help deliver affordable housing, connected communities, well-planned infrastructure, and a healthy, sustainable environment.

About The Role

Are you an experienced finance leader looking for an opportunity to broaden your impact, lead through change, and help shape the future of finance within a newly merged organisation? We are seeking a Financial Controller to join the Transport Sector Finance team of the newly established MCERT on a fixed-term secondment to cover parental leave from 21 September 2026 through to 14 May 2027. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer - Transport, this role provides leadership across financial accounting, reporting, systems, cash management, financial controls, compliance, and team leadership.

You will

• Partner with the CFO-Transport to lead and deliver the Finance work plan.
• Lead financial reporting, month-end and year-end reporting requirements.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, expenses management, cash management and tax compliance.
• Maintain and strengthen financial controls, accounting policies and processes.
• Lead relationships with external auditors and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of future finance processes, systems and new ways of working as MCERT continues to evolve.

Skills And Experience

• Strong financial accounting experience within the public sector.
• Proven leadership experience, including coaching and mentoring.
• Excellent technical accounting knowledge, including NZ GAAP and preferably PBE IPSAS.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A continuous improvement mindset and the ability to navigate ambiguity and change.
• Sound judgement, commercial acumen and a solutions-focused approach.
• CA ANZ (or equivalent) qualification with significant post-qualification experience.

Salary range

Salary range for this role is $138,372 to $172,372pa. Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.

Applications close: Sunday, 13 September 2026.

We are committed to equal opportunities and building a diverse, inclusive workplace. We support our people to work in ways that help them do their best. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

We want our recruitment process to be fair and accessible for everyone. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know or get in touch at mailto:[e-mail].

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.

Note: for our internal permanent people who are applying for a secondment, you must speak with your Manager before submitting your application.

If you require further information about this position please contact David Kidman at [e-mail].

The location for this role is Wellington.