Financial Accountant - 1 Year Fixed Term Parental Leave Cover

About Network for Learning (N4L)

N4L is a crown-owned technology organization dedicated to delivering faster, safer internet connectivity for schools and kura across Aotearoa New Zealand. Since 2012, N4L has expanded its services to more than 2,500 educational institutions, supporting over 900,000 learners and educators, and handling almost a quarter of the nation's daytime business internet traffic. The company emphasizes an inclusive culture focused on collaboration with partners, clients, and colleagues to achieve shared success.

Role Overview

We are searching for an experienced Financial Accountant to join our Finance team for a fixed term of 12 months to cover parental leave. This part-time role (30–32 hours per week) begins mid-October 2026. Reporting directly to the Head of Finance, you will ensure accuracy in financial reporting and uphold compliance with relevant regulations. The position entails hands-on management of closing procedures, statutory reports, budgeting, forecasting, and continuous refinement of internal controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive month-end and year-end closing activities to deliver precise and timely financial statements.
• Compile monthly financial reports, Board materials, balance sheet reconciliations, cash flow statements, journal entries, and supporting documentation.
• Safeguard general ledger integrity through preparation and review of journals, accruals, prepayments, and reconciliations.
• Ensure adherence to Public Finance Act, Crown Entities Act, PBE accounting standards, GST and FBT regulations, Treasury reporting, insurance renewals, and audit protocols.
• Prepare the annual Statement of Performance Expectations and support comprehensive multi-period forecasts (4+8, 6+6, 8+4 frameworks), including balance sheet and cash flow forecasting.
• Perform detailed analysis of financial results, balance sheet trends, and cash flows to deliver actionable variance insights.
• Continuously evaluate and improve finance procedures, documentation, and internal controls to boost operational efficiency and mitigate risks.
• Foster strong collaborations with internal stakeholders and co-ordinate smoothly with external auditors during audit cycles.

Candidate Requirements

• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in financial accounting, statutory reporting, tax compliance, and public sector accounting standards (PBE).
• Proven expertise managing month-end and year-end closing, including financial reporting and balance sheet reconciliation.
• Skilled in budgeting, forecasting, multi-period financial planning (4+8, 6+6, 8+4), and comprehensive variance analysis.
• Process-oriented with experience documenting workflows, establishing internal controls, and driving continuous process enhancements.
• High level of technical accuracy combined with strong analytical abilities and clear communication of complex financial data.
• Excellent interpersonal skills enabling effective partnerships with Finance colleagues and diverse organizational stakeholders.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate is a proactive, self-driven finance professional who takes accountability for delivering excellent outcomes. Your strong technical proficiency is paired with commercial insight, always seeking to understand underlying financial drivers. You flourish in team-oriented settings and are dedicated to improving processes and control frameworks while providing outstanding service to your peers.

Additional Information

• This is a one-year parental leave fixed-term position requiring 30-32 hours per week, commencing mid-October 2026.
• Applications are due by 21 August 2026.