Senior Financial Accountant

Hamilton City Council is committed to improving the wellbeing of Hamiltonians. As one of New Zealand's largest city councils, we serve a growing and vibrant community while delivering services and projects that improve wellbeing every day. Our team values collaboration, innovation, and community impact. We are on track to be one of New Zealand's leading community-focused councils, where everyone matters and every contribution helps shape the future of our city. If you're looking for meaningful work, a supportive team, and the opportunity to make a real difference in your community, you'll find it here.

He angituutanga: The opportunity

This is a great opportunity to join our Finance and Enabling Services group and play an important part in delivering accurate, reliable financial information across Council. Working across financial accounting, capital and assets, reporting and financial support services, you’ll help make sure our numbers stack up and our accounting practices are consistent and well managed. It’s a varied role where you’ll provide practical accounting advice, work alongside teams across the organisation, support our month and year-end processes, and look for better, smarter ways of working.

Some of the key things you’ll be doing:

• Take primary responsibility for the day-to-day management treasury activities, including swaps, borrowings, cash flow and liquidity management, monitoring compliance with Treasury Management Policy limits.
• Financial accounting, reporting, audit, technical accounting, compliance and financial control oversight of our Council-Controlled Organisations.
• Preparing and reviewing journals, reconciliations and supporting financial information.
• Supporting month-end and year-end processes, including statutory financial statements and disclosures.
• Providing practical technical accounting advice and helping with more complex or non-routine accounting matters.
• Supporting capital and asset accounting, including WIP, capitalisation, depreciation, disposals and revaluations.
• Working with our capital and infrastructure teams to ensure projects are accounted for accurately.
• Supporting audit requirements and maintaining strong financial controls and compliance with accounting standards.
• Working across Finance to ensure accurate, consistent data and a joined-up view of our financial position.
• Identifying opportunities to simplify processes, strengthen controls and improve the way we work.

Qualifications

• Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

• Bachelor level degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or equivalent.

• CA ANZ Chartered Accountant registration or internationally recognised equivalent professional qualification.

• 12+ years' experience in finance within a large or complex organisation, including roles in financial planning, financial accounting, performance reporting, business partnering, financial analysis, decision support, or related finance disciplines.

• 5+ years' experience in a financial accounting role, including statutory reporting, financial statements preparation, audit management, financial controls, treasury, taxation, compliance, or related accounting activities.

• Experience working with senior leaders, auditors, regulators, and external stakeholders to support governance, compliance, and financial reporting requirements.

• Experience in local government, infrastructure, or other complex organisational environments is desirable.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy

• Good understanding of accounting standards and financial controls

• Ability to apply technical accounting in practical situations

• Strong organisational and time management skills

• Ability to work collaboratively across teams

• Good communication skills

• High level of integrity and accountability

• Continuous improvement mindset

• Additional Information

• What’s the salary?

• Circa $120,000 dependent on skills and experience.

What we offer

We invest in our people, their wellbeing, and their future. That's why we offer a range of benefits designed to support you both inside and outside of work, including:

• We support flexible ways of working that balance individual wellbeing, team and business needs. And great outcomes for our community.
• We support professional development and opportunities to grow your career.
• Two wellbeing days each year to focus on what matters most to you (after one year of service).
• Fully funded Unimed health insurance, including hospital and surgical cover, with discounted rates for family members.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccinations.
• The option to purchase additional annual leave for greater flexibility.
• Eye care support, including reimbursement towards eye testing and prescription glasses.
• Access to a wide range of local discounts, including gyms, healthcare providers, retail stores, and more.