Research Accountant - 9 month fixed term

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers.  We have eight academic faculties and 11 service divisions creating a diverse, dynamic and complex organisational culture that demands excellence.

The University of Auckland creates globally transformative impacts through our distinctive strengths in world leading research, scholarship, teaching and collaborative partnerships, inspired by our unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific. 

Our mission and values place a strong emphasis on both our student body and our scholarly community, and we work with both community and enterprise to advance the well-being of the peoples of Auckland and New Zealand, with a clear commitment to pursuing sustainability.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Our Research Operations Finance team are seeking a Research Accountant to join them on a fixed term basis. Our successful candidate will be responsible for providing finance, planning, reporting and analysis support to research and philanthropic divisions across the University.

Some other responsibilities include:

• Project Accounting: financial reporting and reconciliations for research and philanthropic projects, including accounting tasks required for month end and year end
• General accounting duties: predominately focused on research, including entering financial information into Peoplesoft, ensuring correct coding in the general ledger
• Financial Reporting: Assist or be responsible for the preparation of financial reports to funders, governance groups or auditors as required, and resolve errors and respond to queries; some of this will require some business partnering focus, especially forecasting for governance groups.
• Continuous improvement: looking at ways to improve processes, ensuring there is “one source of truth” for all finance outputs

This is a full-time, fixed-term role (37.5 hours per week)

The remuneration is $83,300 – $97,979 per annum, dependent on skills and experience

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

 Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team

You will be part of a small team dedicated to supporting research activities, whilst also being part of the wider Research & Operations Finance team, which includes ROC, Business Partnering Research, and Research & Trust Accounting.

He kōrero mōu | About you

This is a dynamic environment, so we are looking for someone who can hit the ground running with the confidence, experience and resilience required to manage ever-changing situations and solve problems as they go.

Ideally you have previous experience in financial and management accounting including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and providing insightful commentary.

Nga Pūkenga Motuhake | Important Skills

 You will have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject and membership with a professional accounting institute
• 5 yrs experience within a Financial Accounting, Financial Mgmt or Project Accounting background
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are paramount, as you will be working with complex financial reports.
• The ability to effectively multitask and manage expectations will be key to your success in this position, as you juggle multiple demands from diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting best practice
• Advanced Excel and strong financial modelling skills
• Experience with large ERP systems (PeopleSoft Financials/SAP/Oracle/BI Reporting)

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

 Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 1st June 2025 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above. We may close this advert early if we have a large number of applications.

Please reach out to Allister Jennings (Research &Trust Accounting Mgr) via [email protected] for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone can thrive. For further information see Te Ara Tautika | the Equity Policy and visit www.equity.auckland.ac.nz