Intermediate Accountant

About the role

NZ Tax Accountants is seeking an experienced intermediate accountant who is ready to progress into a more senior technical role. The role combines mainstream New Zealand public-practice compliance work with exposure to the specialist tax issues that arise when Australian residents and businesses operate, invest or employ people in New Zealand. Although the successful candidate will manage a large portfolio of rental property clients the work will also comprise small-business financial statements and tax returns, GST returns and related client advisory and implementation work.

Technology is central to the way we intend to deliver compliance services. The successful candidate will work alongside an AI assistant that undertakes much of the routine processing associated with rental property work. The accountant remains responsible for professional review, validation, judgement and the accuracy of the final work, and must have the technical savvy to undertake final responsibility for the result.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare financial statements and New Zealand income tax returns for small businesses, companies and individuals.
• Prepare residential rental property financial statements and income tax returns, including the review of property income, expenditure, financing and taxation adjustments.
• Prepare GST returns and undertake supporting reconciliations, including identifying unusual transactions or technical issues requiring further review.
• Manage routine compliance assignments independently from information gathering through to completion and filing.
• Manage your own client relationships, communicate requirements clearly and respond to practical accounting and taxation questions.
• Attend client meetings using Microsoft Teams and document agreed actions and technical conclusions.
• Communicate directly with Inland Revenue in relation to routine client matters, registrations, queries and compliance issues.
• Identify technical, commercial or compliance issues and escalate complex or higher-risk matters appropriately.
• Assist clients with the implementation and effective use of Xero; MYOB experience would also be valuable.
• Maintain complete, accurate and well-organised workpapers, client records, workflow notes and correspondence.

About you

• Ideally 3–5 years of recent experience in a New Zealand accounting or tax public practice.
• Sound practical knowledge of New Zealand financial reporting and income tax compliance for small businesses and residential rental properties.
• Experience preparing GST returns and supporting reconciliations.
• The technical ability and confidence to deal with the varied questions raised by small-business owners and property investors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical matters clearly and professionally.
• The ability to organise and manage a portfolio of work, meet deadlines and follow matters through to completion.
• Sound professional judgement, attention to detail and a willingness to raise issues rather than simply process information.

Confidence using cloud-based accounting, AI tools, and practice-management technology, particularly Xero.

• A relevant professional qualification, Accounting Technician membership, or progress toward a recognised accounting qualification would be well regarded. However, substantial and demonstrable New Zealand public-practice experience may substitute for formal study.

About us

NZ Tax Accountants is a specialist trans-Tasman practice assisting Australian residents and small businesses with their New Zealand tax and compliance obligations. Our work frequently involves matters that are not encountered in a traditional domestic compliance practice, while remaining grounded in high-quality New Zealand accounting and tax work. We are a modern, cloud-based practice with a strong focus on practical client service and efficient systems, operating as a collaborative small-team environment where accountants have meaningful responsibility and direct access to senior technical support.