Systems Accountant

Systems Accountant 
Buller District Council | Westport, New Zealand 
Permanent | Full-Time | 40 Hours per week 
 

Join the Buller District Council Team! | Hono atu ki te roopu Kaunihera a rohe o Buller! 
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Systems Accountant to take ownership of Council’s financial systems and play a pivotal role at the intersection of Finance and IT, lead the management, optimization, and continuous improvement of our financial systems. This is a high impact role that ensures our ERP and related financial platforms are accurate, reliable, and aligned with Council’s operational and strategic needs. As the key link between Finance, IT, and operational teams, you will drive system performance, enhance reporting capability, and support informed decision making across the organisation. 

If you are passionate about financial systems, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration, this role offers the opportunity to make a significant difference 

Who are we? | Ko wai tatou? 
At Buller District Council, we are a dedicated, customer-focused team committed to maintaining the beauty of our region—from Karamea to Punakaiki and inland to the environs of Reefton. This is your unique opportunity to step into the wilderness and make a tangible difference in the Buller District. If you possess the expertise and a proactive attitude to deliver exceptional service to our community, we’d love to hear from you!  

Why Join Us? | He aha te hono mai ki a mātau? 

Thrive in a values-driven workplace that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and professional development through various learning opportunities, benefits, and recognition. 

• Southern Cross Health Insurance 

• Work in a scenic district with a great lifestyle balance. 

• Be part of a collaborative and supportive team with a high focus on wellbeing 
  
  

What Will You Do? | Ka aha koe? 

This role is integral to both Finance and IT, ensuring systems, processes and data support Council’s operational and strategic goals 

 
Key responsibilities will include: 

• Oversee and optimise the performance and reliability of Council’s financial systems and ERP. 

• Lead finance input into system upgrades, enhancements, and configuration changes, managing and troubleshooting when . 

• Maintain accurate, timely, and auditable data flows between the ERP and other corporate systems. 

• Ensure strong data integrity through validation, reconciliation, and robust accounting controls. 

• Act as the financial systems subject matter expert across Finance, IT, and operational teams. 

• Analyse system data to support budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and performance improvement. 

• Build and maintain financial and operational reporting, dashboards, and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI). 

• Maintain a systems improvement roadmap aligned with financial reporting, compliance, and Council strategy. 
  
  

Who Are You? | Ko wai koe? 
You are an experienced finance professional with a strong understanding of financial systems, data integrity, and process improvement. You enjoy working at the intersection of finance and technology and are confident translating business needs into practical system solutions. 

Essential: 

• Tertiary qualification in accounting, finance or a related field 

• Experience working with financial systems or ERP platforms in a finance, accounting, or systems-focused role 

• Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial processes, and internal control frameworks 

• Proven ability to maintain data accuracy, integrity, and auditability across complex systems 

• Experience troubleshooting system or process issues and working with technical teams or vendors 

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and support reporting, budgeting, and forecasting

• Ability to manage integrations and data flows between multiple systems

Desirable: 

• Membership or progress toward a professional accounting designation (e.g., CA, CPA).

• Experience working in local government, public sector, or a similarly regulated environment 

• Advanced excel user 

• Hands‑on experience with Power BI or other reporting/analytics tools 

Our Mission | To tatou misioni 
To serve the residents of the Buller district, conscious of their needs, by providing facilities and services and creating an appropriate environment for progress and development while preserving the distinctive natural environment, as well as the cultural and historical environments. 

If you're ready to make a significant impact and work in a supportive, forward-thinking environment, we’d love to hear from you! 
 

Position Description upon request.

All applications are required to be accompanied by a cover letter and a copy of your current Curriculum Vitae. 

Any enquiries about this role please email: [email protected] 

Applications close: 3pm Friday 3rd of April 2026