Assistant Financial Accountant | Kaiāwhina Tātari Pūtea

Mō te tūnga | About the role:

An exciting opportunity has opened for an Assistant Financial Accountant within the Financial Accounting team at Parliamentary Service. We're looking for someone who is detail-oriented, eager to build their accounting career, and passionate about ensuring strong financial stewardship in a unique and purpose-driven organisation.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, you'll play an important role in supporting the integrity of Parliamentary Service's financial reporting and accounting processes. You'll work alongside experienced finance professionals to maintain accurate financial records, contribute to reporting and audit requirements, and support continuous improvement initiatives across the finance function.

This newly created role has been established to enhance the capability of the Financial Accounting team and provide a structured career development opportunity for aspiring accounting professionals. It offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure across a broad range of financial accounting activities while receiving support and mentoring from experienced finance professionals.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone looking to broaden their exposure to financial accounting, reporting, systems, and compliance within a complex public sector environment.

Over time, you'll build expertise across financial reporting, Treasury submissions, tax compliance, preparation of annual reports, accounting standards, and audit processes, developing the skills and confidence to take on increasingly more complex accounting responsibilities.

Key responsibilities

• Support the preparation of monthly financial reports, reconciliations, working papers, and Treasury reporting requirements.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger through reconciliations, variance analysis, and resolving discrepancies.
• Assist with the preparation of annual financial statements and statutory reporting requirements.
• Support internal and external audit processes by preparing documentation and responding to audit queries.
• Review and quality assure financial transactions, including journals, accruals, and prepayments.
• Investigate and resolve financial anomalies and data issues in a timely manner.
• Help maintain compliance with accounting standards, legislative requirements, Speaker's Directions, and organisational policies.
• Support the maintenance and enhancement of financial systems and reporting tools.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives that improve efficiency, strengthen controls, and enhance data quality.
• Provide administrative and general support across the Finance team, including assistance with ad hoc financial reporting requests.
• Support Treasury reporting requirements and statutory compliance obligations.
• Assist with tax-related activities including GST, Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT), and withholding tax reporting.
• Develop working relationships with key external stakeholders including Treasury, Inland Revenue, and Audit New Zealand.

About you

You'll be someone who enjoys working with numbers, has strong attention to detail, and takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality work. You're a collaborative team player with a positive attitude, strong communication skills, and a genuine interest in developing your technical accounting expertise.

You'll also bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Progress towards a CA, CPA, or Accounting Technician qualification is preferred.
• Approximately 1-3 years' experience in an accounting or finance role.
• An understanding of financial statements and accounting principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• The ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information in plain English.
• A proactive approach and enthusiasm for continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Experience using accounting systems, ideally TechnologyOne or a similar ERP system.
• Experience in the public sector or an understanding of public sector financial reporting requirements would also be beneficial, but is not essential.

Mō mātou | About us:

• We offer a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, access to an on-site gym and pool, learning and development opportunities. Our ever-changing environment allows us to be part of the action at Parliament including attending question time, select committees and other key events.
• We support flexible working where possible and offer a clear, structured remuneration progression framework, strong organisational stability, and a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and development.
• Our values: Integrity, Manaakitanga, Accountability, Whanaungatanga and Empowerment guide how we work. We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and aim to make Parliament a welcoming and accessible environment for all.
• If you would like to know more about who we are and the mahi we do, visit Careers at Parliament.

This role provides excellent exposure to technical financial accounting, public sector reporting, compliance, audit, and Treasury processes, making it an ideal stepping stone for someone working towards a professional accounting qualification and looking to accelerate their development.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:

Applications close at 11:59pm, Sunday 30 August 2026. All applications must be made online. To arrange a confidential kōrero, please contact Fredwyn.Kisona@parliament.govt.nz

Please note we will begin screening applications as they are received and may move to interviews shortly after the advert closes. Depending on application volumes, timeframes may change, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than advertised. You may also be invited to complete a pre-interview screening via phone or video.

If you have any support or access requirements, please let us know when you apply so we can support you through the recruitment process.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: We appreciate your interest, but we are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies at this time. Unsolicited CVs will not be accepted, and Parliamentary Service and the Office of the Clerk are not responsible for any related fees.