Financial Accountant

Carterton District Council | Carterton, Wairarapa  Permanent, full-time | 40 hours per week

Bring your technical expertise. See the bigger picture. Make your work count for your community.

Great financial accounting is about more than getting the numbers right. It’s about giving people the confidence and insight to make sound decisions. At Carterton District Council, those decisions help shape the services, infrastructure and community outcomes that matter to our district.

We’re looking for a Financial Accountant who combines strong technical capability with a practical, collaborative approach. If you enjoy taking ownership, making complex information clear and improving how things work, this role offers breadth, responsibility and purpose.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you’ll lead core financial reporting and help bring Council’s budgets and plans to life. This is a hands-on technical role with no direct reports, offering considerable ownership of Council’s financial reporting, planning and audit processes, while providing opportunities to influence decisions and work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation.

From month-end oversight and statutory reporting to the Annual Report, Annual Plan and Long-Term Plan, you’ll connect accurate financial information with clear advice. Your work will help Council understand its financial position, meet its obligations and plan confidently for the future.

• Lead monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting, providing meaningful variance analysis and commentary.
• Oversee month-end processes, balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls.
• Coordinate financial modelling, budgeting and analysis for the Annual Plan and Long-Term Plan.
• Lead preparation of the Annual Report and statutory financial reporting, and coordinate internal and external audits.
• Coordinate asset revaluations and fair value assessments, and oversee Council’s reserves.
• Partner with departments to turn financial information into practical insights and advice.
• Strengthen financial systems, reporting processes and controls through continuous improvement.

What you’ll bring

You’re an experienced financial accountant who can move comfortably between detailed accounting work and the bigger picture. You take pride in reliable reporting, ask thoughtful questions and build relationships that make financial conversations useful and accessible.

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or commerce.
• CA, CPA, CMA or an equivalent professional accounting qualification is essential.
• Strong experience in financial accounting, reporting, budgeting and planning.
• Experience preparing or supporting annual financial statements, statutory reporting and audit processes.
• Sound knowledge of relevant accounting standards and financial compliance requirements.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• The organisation and judgement to manage competing priorities and meet firm deadlines.
• A current New Zealand driver licence.

Local government experience, including familiarity with financial systems such as Magiq is highly regarded but is not essential.

Why this opportunity?

You’ll have the opportunity to combine technical accounting with business partnering, financial planning and process improvement—not just one piece of the finance cycle. Working directly with the Chief Financial Officer and alongside the wider Finance team, you’ll see how your expertise supports decisions across Council and contributes to outcomes for the Carterton community. You’ll join a supportive team within an organisation that values respect, accountability, collaboration and fresh ideas.

You’ll also enjoy five weeks’ annual leave, giving you more time to recharge and do what matters to you outside work.

Ready to make your expertise count?

We’d love to hear how your skills and experience could contribute to Carterton District Council. Submit your CV and a covering letter via seek.

Applications close: Midday 2 December 2026

For more information or a confidential conversation: Vicki McLachlan, People and Wellbeing Manager, Carterton District Council – vicki@cdc.govt.nz

Please note: Applicants must have the permanent right to work in New Zealand. We will not consider applications from candidates who do not meet this requirement.