Assistant Accountant

About Coastguard New Zealand
Coastguard New Zealand is a volunteer-based organisation dedicated to saving lives on the water. We support thousands of volunteers across the country by ensuring they have the equipment, resources, and support they need to operate safely and effectively.
  
About the role
We’re looking for an Assistant Accountant to support the delivery of accurate, timely and reliable financial reporting across Coastguard New Zealand. This role plays a key part in maintaining strong financial controls, supporting month-end processes and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

You’ll work closely with the Finance Manager and wider finance team, providing high-quality financial support that enables informed decision making and contributes to organisational performance.
  
What you will do

• Support month-end and year-end processes, including journals, reconciliations and reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving variances to maintain clean and reliable accounts.
• Produce monthly financial reports including Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet for internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and file GST and other statutory returns, ensuring compliance with legislative and reporting requirements.
• Maintain strong internal controls through accurate coding, transaction checks and adherence to finance processes.
• Assist with fixed asset management and ensure accurate recording of financial transactions.
• Manage accounts receivable processes, including invoicing, allocations and follow-up of outstanding balances.
• Prepare and reconcile bank accounts, term deposits and credit card transactions with clear supporting documentation.
• Support when required payroll processing
• Provide financial information to support planning, reporting and funding activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of finance systems, processes and controls.
• Provide backup support across the finance team to ensure continuity of service.

What you will bring

• 2-3 years’ experience in an Assistant Accountant or similar finance role, ideally within a medium to large or not-for-profit organisation.
• You bring strong attention to detail, a collaborative approach and a commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality financial work.
• Experience supporting financial reporting, month-end processes and reconciliations.
• Working knowledge of accounting standards and GST
• Experience preparing statutory returns and financial reports.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Proficiency with financial systems and spreadsheets (excel)
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy and control.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Relevant qualification in accounting or finance (or working towards).

Why Join Coastguard?
You’ll be part of a committed, mission-driven organisation where your work directly supports volunteer lifesavers and contributes to safer waterways across Aotearoa New Zealand.
In addition, we offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help you do your best work:

• Leave and flexibility: Birthday leave; flexible working options (role dependent).
• Health and wellbeing: Flu vaccine vouchers; Southern Cross life, income and critical illness insurance discounts; free, confidential support via our external provider (Vitae).
• Coastguard membership: Free membership for you and your whānau.
• Development and recognition: Career and learning support; staff recognition initiatives; free parking at all Coastguard locations.
• Staff discounts: Boost, Marine Deals, Tower, Explorer safe and more.

How to Apply: If the above sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply via the link below and include your CV and a cover letter telling us why you’re a great fit for the role. We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait too long.

Applications close: 2nd September 2026

Coastguard New Zealand is committed to an inclusive workplace where all people feel valued, respected, and able to be their full selves. We encourage applications from across our communities.