Financial Accountant

Position Overview

Use your deep financial expertise to enhance reporting, improve decision-making, and drive smarter finance systems at the University of Waikato. As a Financial Accountant, you will deliver extensive financial reporting, management, accounting, and taxation services across the institution, ensuring accuracy and integrity of financial data while supporting compliance and controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide valuable financial insight and advice that influences decision-making.
• Contribute to the enhancement of financial systems, processes, and reporting structures.
• Collaborate within a team committed to continuous improvement.
• Lead monthly financial close activities, annual reporting, audits, balance sheet reconciliations, taxation, treasury, and statutory reporting.
• Support ERP optimization, automation, and responsible AI application initiatives within financial processes.

Candidate Profile

You are an experienced financial accountant with strong analytical and problem-solving skills who thrives on transforming complex financial information into straightforward, practical guidance. You demonstrate excellent communication abilities, organizational expertise, and relationship-building skills across a diverse range of stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification with a minimum of three years' experience in financial and commercial accounting.
• Expertise in technical financial accounting, financial reporting, and audit procedures.
• Experience with Public Benefit Entity (PBE) reporting and New Zealand Financial Reporting Standards.
• Working knowledge of New Zealand's indirect tax laws.
• A relevant tertiary degree and eligibility or progress towards CAANZ CA membership or equivalent professional accounting qualification.

Personal Attributes

• Accuracy, proactivity, and self-motivation.
• High personal integrity and credibility.
• Collaborative mindset, comfortable assuming responsibility and suggesting improvements.
• Adept at managing competing priorities and meeting strict deadlines in a dynamic environment.

About the Finance Team

The Finance team sits within the Corporate Services Group under the Chief Operating Officer’s office. This team delivers financial services, reporting, and analytics that support institutional decision-making through insightful performance reporting and business intelligence. They manage financial policies, systems, and data, ensuring financial data integrity and supporting continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

The University of Waikato is a globally recognized institution known for future-focused international education and impactful research. Our diverse community and supportive work environment offer significant benefits to employees. The university values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity, encouraging applications from candidates of all backgrounds who have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand under immigration regulations.

Additional Information

• Salary ranges from NZD 87,624 to NZD 100,214 annually, based on qualifications and experience.
• This is a full-time position requiring 37.5 hours per week, located at our Hillcrest Campus in Hamilton, New Zealand.
• Applications close on September 27, 2026.
• Requisition number: 1003867.