Assistant Accountant

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Develop your career within a supportive and experienced team
• Great work-life balance, with flexible working arrangements available
• Fixed-term position available until the 18th of May 2026, based in Wellington

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As the Assistant Accountant you will be joining a dynamic and diverse team environment. You will play a key part in ensuring the structural integrity and accuracy of the Department's financial system. Your responsibilities will include providing essential accounting support to the wider Finance team, assisting with financial reporting, reconciliations, and data management. This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in a collaborative environment, contributing to the overall financial stability and success of the Department of Corrections.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be successful in this position you should have:

• A good understanding of accountancy theory and general bookkeeping principles and practices
• Good analytical skills and an ability to analyse problems and formulate well-reasoned solutions
• Working knowledge of Microsoft suite of products – particularly Excel and Word.
• Whilst not essential, knowledge and experience with SAP financial system would be advantageous
• A keen interest in financial systems and processes, with a strong ability to work effectively in a team environment

The ideal candidate will have accounting qualifications or studying towards a recognised tertiary qualification (at least equivalent to Bachelors) in accounting, preferably with experience in a similar role and some experience with balance sheet reconciliations. Candidates without a tertiary qualification but with the relevant experience required for the role should also apply.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The midpoint of the salary range is $79,495 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $67,571 - $95,394 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Monday the 14th of July. 

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact Sarah.Newbold@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.