Senior Financial Accountant

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Our Senior Financial Accountants are an integral member of the Financial Accounting Team, providing valued support to the Manager Financial Accounting, and other 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.

In this role you will provide the professional financial accounting expertise in the management and improvement of the NZDF’s financial internal controls and system processes. You will support NZDF senior corporate system management owners in fulfilling their responsibilities and accountabilities. 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.
• Communicate accounting information to management and non-finance personnel.
• Support the development of less experienced members of the team.
• Facilitate the preparation and delivery of high-quality technical update working papers, ministerial briefings, and CFO briefings.
• Contribute to the Budget process including Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates and Baseline Updates.
• Have a good understanding of the Public Finance Act and contribute to the writing and updating of finance related policies.
• 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.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

A key part to your success in this role is your ability to engage and influence senior management to convert technical information into accessible information as well as possessing exceptional written skills for the production of high quality (and high output) documents. We need your technical accounting skills combined with your excellent interpersonal skills and relationship management.

You must be a fully qualified Chartered Accountant with in-depth practical experience in finance, accounting, or a similar role in a large 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 technical accounting skills.
• 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.
• The ability to identify best practices and implement through leading change.
• Experience mentoring and developing less experienced colleagues.
• Experience with a major ERP package and Business Intelligence System.

The salary range for this role is $157,351 to $183,396, inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Starting salaries reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

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.

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 Thursday 19 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.