Senior Project Accountant | Flexible
| Category: | Finance |
| Position Type: | Fixed Term Full Time |
| Attachments: | Senior Project Accountant PD.pdf (PDF, 358KB) Job Specification |
| Application Close Date: | 02-Apr-2026 |
Job Description
- Fixed Term/Secondment opportunity to 30 June 2027
This role is a fixed term position in response to increased demand within our high priority work programmes. We are surging in people and resources in response to these priorities.
Mō te tūranga mahi | About the role
The Senior Project Accountant role forms part of the Finance & Procurement Unit which provides stewardship of the financial strategy, resources and performance of the Ministry, and advises on all aspects of the procurement of goods, services and contributions.
This fixed term role supports the Planning System Transformation (PST) programme across the Ministry to plan, present, report and provide trusted advice on the financial progress and strategy of the programme to enable informed decision-making.
A key aspect of the role will involve communicating and influencing across multiple levels of the organisation to change the nature and focus of conversations in the area of financial management.
This includes:
- Preparation and delivery of financial reports for the varying governance and Accountability fora both internal and external to the Ministry.
- Analysis and delivery of detailed budgets & forecasts at project, programme, and portfolio levels.
- Challenge underlying assumptions and resource requests to ensure plans are robust, realistic, and achievable.
- Liaising with the PST senior leadership, General Managers, Managers and Programme Managers to provide reliable financial analysis within the internal monthly and quarterly reporting processes.
- Supporting the portfolio in securing any additional funding as required.
- Leading the capture and reporting of the portfolio risks from a financial perspective to ensure full visibility and a no surprises approach.
- Providing support to the portfolio in navigating and complying with the internal procurement requirements.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
Our ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:
- Self-starter and proactive - comfortable working individually as well as with others.
- Strong organisational skills / juggling multiple work items and be agile in managing competing priorities.
- Adaptable and be comfortable working at multiple levels (strategic through to operational transactional tasks) to deliver objectives.
- An ability to build and maintain relationships across levels within an organisational matrix.
- A high attention to detail while maintaining sight of how this relates to the big picture.
- Effective in communicating financial information and concepts to non-finance professionals.
- Able to adapt their presentational style to other's preferences and needs.
- Resilience and ability to negotiate / influence others to improve organisational performance and efficiency.
- High level of excel and solid Powerpoint skills including reports and PowerBI usage.
- Use of Accounting software (TechOne and Oracle experience would be advantageous).
- An accounting qualification (eg CA / CPA / CIMA).
Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range
Salary range for this role is $110,501 to $134,128pa. Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter. Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.
If you require further information about this position please contact Jessica.bradley@mfe.govt.nz. The position description is available via our careers centre www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs.
The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home. As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business. We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best.
You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.
Note: for internal permanent kaimahi who are applying for a secondment, you must speak with your Manager before submitting your application.
Rā Katinga | Applications close:
