Assistant Accountant

Assistant Accountant
Christchurch | Permanent | Early Career Opportunity

Ready to kick-start your accounting career?

We’re working with an established New Zealand business looking for a bright, capable and confident Assistant Accountant to join their Christchurch-based finance team.

This is a great opportunity for a recent accounting or finance graduate, someone in the early stages of their career, or someone with some accounts experience who is ready to take the next step.

You don’t need years of experience behind you. What matters is that you’re switched on, have a good head for numbers, communicate confidently and are genuinely keen to learn and develop.

While there will be plenty of support and opportunity to learn, Accounts Receivable is a key part of this position, so you’ll need to be comfortable picking up the phone, following up overdue accounts and having conversations about outstanding payments.

You’ll be joining an experienced finance team who can teach you their systems and processes, while giving you real responsibility and the opportunity to develop your accounting experience.

What you'll be doing

Reporting to the Financial Controller, you’ll gain hands-on experience across the finance function, with an initial focus on Accounts Receivable.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing Accounts Receivable and proactively following up overdue accounts
• Monitoring the aged receivables ledger and prioritising collection activity
• Contacting customers by phone and email regarding outstanding invoices and payment arrangements
• Confidently navigating challenging payment conversations while maintaining positive customer relationships
• Investigating and resolving account queries, discrepancies and disputes
• Allocating and receipting customer payments accurately
• Completing daily bank reconciliations
• Maintaining accurate customer and financial records
• Supporting the wider finance team with general accounting and administration tasks
• Taking on further responsibilities as your skills and experience develop

About you

We’re keeping an open mind when it comes to experience.
You could be fresh out of university or polytechnic, have a year or two of experience under your belt, or have existing accounts or administration experience and be looking for an opportunity to develop further.

What’s important is that you:

• Are confident and professional communicating over the phone
• Are comfortable following up outstanding payments and having sometimes challenging conversations
• Have a good head for numbers and excellent attention to detail
• Are bright, switched on and quick to learn
• Are organised and able to manage competing priorities
• Are proactive, persistent and willing to take ownership
• Have good problem-solving skills and aren't afraid to ask questions
• Communicate well and enjoy building relationships
• Are genuinely keen to learn and develop your accounting skills
• Bring a positive, practical approach to working within a team

Previous Accounts Receivable or accounts experience would be an advantage, but potential, attitude and capability are just as important as experience.

A qualification in accounting, finance, business or a related area would also be advantageous, particularly if you're looking for your first opportunity to put what you've learnt into practice.

Why this opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join an established and successful New Zealand business with a supportive, collaborative team and a genuine willingness to invest in the right person.

You won’t be expected to know everything on day one. You’ll have experienced people around you to help you learn the systems, processes and technical aspects of the role, while still being trusted with meaningful responsibility from the outset.

For someone early in their accounting career, it’s an opportunity to gain real, hands-on finance experience, build confidence and continue taking on more as your skills develop.

If you're early in your career, eager to learn and ready to show what you're capable of, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now via SEEK with your CV and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact Steph at [email protected].