Financial Accountant

Xero is looking for a Financial Accountant to join its Group Accounting team in Wellington, New Zealand. This full-time, hybrid role blends office days with flexible work, and sits within a global finance function that spans Australia and New Zealand. The position supports month-end close and financial reporting for a listed issuer, with involvement in external disclosures and the company’s employee equity schemes and strategic financial projects. It’s a fit for someone who enjoys collaborating across the business to deliver accurate financial information.

In this role you’ll develop expertise across the full accounting cycle and take ownership of driving improvements to processes and controls. You’ll have the chance to challenge the status quo, responsibly leverage new tools to cut manual effort, and make a real impact on how the business operates. Your work will support external disclosures and governance, while helping Xero accelerate global small business success.

Across the Group Accounting team, collaboration is built into the daily rhythm. They work closely with Finance, Tax, Treasury and FP&A, with regular touchpoints both in person and virtually. The team values professional scepticism, practical problem solving, and genuine partnership, and you’ll be joining a diverse environment that supports your growth.

Inside the numbers and close cycles

On a day-to-day basis you’ll take a lead role in the month-end close, ensuring balance sheet reconciliations are thorough and aligned with integrated finance systems. You’ll contribute to accurate financial reporting and support the governance around the close process, while building strong relationships with stakeholders across the business.

You'll also participate in the half-year and annual reporting cycles, including audit support and external disclosures. Along the way, you’ll seek out opportunities to improve how accounting workflows are executed, and you’ll look for automation opportunities to reduce repetitive work and improve reliability. There’s room to pilot AI tools and other emerging technologies as part of refining processes and boosting data quality.

The role combines hands-on accounting with a chance to influence how information flows through the organisation, so you’ll balance precision with a practical approach to implementation and change across the finance function.

What you’ll need to bring

• Strong technical accounting knowledge, with a Chartered Accountant qualification or progress toward one.

• A proven eye for process improvement and a genuine enthusiasm for finding efficiencies, not just completing tasks.

• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to analyse financial results, spot trends, and explain your findings clearly.

• Comfort in a fast-paced environment where priorities evolve and you’re expected to take initiative and think beyond the immediate problem.

• Genuine collaboration skills and a commitment to building strong relationships across finance and the wider business.

• Curiosity about emerging tools like AI and a willingness to explore practical applications while applying sound judgment.

Where you’ll be and how you’ll work

The role is based in Wellington, with the accounting team split across Australia and New Zealand. The company offers a hybrid way of working, with office space available and regular team connection days. You’ll have space for focused work while staying connected to colleagues, and you’ll enjoy the autonomy to do your best work within a collaborative environment.

Tips to help you stand out

Lead with your Chartered Accountant qualification or your progress toward one at the top of your resume, and clearly highlight your experience with month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, and external disclosures.

Back up your must-have skills with concrete examples. Describe a specific process you improved, the changes you implemented, and the measurable impact on time saved, accuracy, or controls.

Be ready to discuss how you handle a fast-changing workload and give a concrete instance where you took initiative beyond the immediate task to drive a better outcome.

Ask a smart question about AI and tooling, such as how the team is piloting AI in accounting tasks and how they measure success in terms of data quality and efficiency.