Senior Financial Accountant

Senior Financial Accountant job description

The Senior Financial Accountant is responsible for leading financial reporting, ensuring compliance with NZ IFRS, and managing tax obligations in line with IRD requirements. This role plays a key part in month-end close, statutory reporting, and providing financial insights to senior stakeholders across New Zealand.

Senior Financial Accountant duties and responsibilities of the job

Key responsibilities of a Senior Financial Accountant include:

Preparing accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with NZ IFRS

Leading the month-end close process, including journal preparation, balance sheet reconciliations, and variance analysis

Ensuring timely and compliant filing of GST, PAYE, FBT, and provisional tax returns with the IRD

Supporting annual audit processes and preparing workpapers for external auditors

Maintaining fixed asset registers and managing depreciation schedules

Assisting with budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling

Developing and maintaining financial controls and accounting policies

Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to support financial transparency

Providing guidance to junior finance team members and supporting technical accounting queries

Utilising systems such as SAP, Xero, or MYOB to ensure accurate and efficient reporting

Senior Financial Accountant job qualifications and requirements

A CA ANZ or CPA Australia qualification is required. Candidates should have at least 5 years’ experience in financial accounting, including experience in statutory reporting and tax compliance.

Requirements include:

Proven expertise in NZ IFRS reporting and IRD tax compliance

Strong proficiency with financial systems such as SAP, Xero, or MYOB

Demonstrated experience supporting external audit and ensuring regulatory compliance

Advanced Excel skills for financial analysis, modelling, and reporting

Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities

Effective communication skills for engaging with stakeholders across New Zealand

Experience in budgeting and forecasting processes

Involvement in process improvement or systems implementation

Team leadership or mentoring junior finance staff

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Salary for Senior Financial Accountant

120000 - 140000

25th percentile

120000

The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.

50th percentile

130000

The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.

75th percentile

140000

The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialised certifications.

Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or KiwiSaver.

Projected salaries for related positions

Job title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Accounts Assistant

75000

80000

85000

Assistant Accountant

85000

90000

95000

Accountant

100000

115000

125000

Company Accountant

110000

120000

135000

Group Accountant

130000

155000

180000

Accounts Payable Officer

65000

75000

85000

Accounts Payable Manager

95000

120000

140000

Accounts Receivable Officer

65000

75000

85000

Accounts Receivable Manager

95000

120000

140000

Financial Accountant

105000

115000

130000

Corporate Accountant

130000

145000

160000

Cost Accountant

115000

140000

160000

Management Accountant

120000

140000

160000

Senior Management Accountant

140000

155000

170000

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Our starting salary projections come from a detailed, multistep process that ensures our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They’re based on real compensation data for job candidates our recruiters have matched with companies across the country.

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