Provides services relating to compliance-based financial reporting, auditing, insolvency and accounting information systems; and advises on associated record-keeping requirements.

• Assists in formulating budgetary and accounting policies; prepares financial statements for boards of directors, management, shareholders, and governing and statutory bodies; conducts financial investigations, prepares reports, undertaking audits and advises on matters such as the purchase and sale of businesses, mergers, capital financing, suspected fraud, insolvency and taxation; examines operating costs and income and expenditure; provides assurance about the accuracy of information contained in financial reports and compliance with statutory requirements; provides financial and taxation advice on business structures, plans and operations; prepares tax returns; manages funds; introduces and maintains accounting systems, and advises on the selection and application of computer-based accounting systems; maintains internal control systems; may appraise cash flow and financial risk of capital investment projects.

• Works indoors in offices within public and private businesses and for chartered accountancy firms or other organisations.
• Occasional travel may be required if the role demands working across departments or branches or to visit clients.
• Works in adequately heated, lit, ventilated and clean, well maintained offices.

• Sedentary physical demand with frequent to constant sitting at a desk or in meetings.
• Stands and walks occasionally in offices and when going to visit clients.
• Lifting, carrying or pulling is not a necessary or significant component.
• Bending, squatting or crouching is unlikely to be required.
• Stretching and/or twisting movements is not a significant component of the job.
• Frequent repetitive hand and finger movements are required when using computers, writing or reconciling data.
• Driving may be required occasionally but is not a significant component of the job.
• Mental skills necessary include a high level of cognitive functioning with accounting communication, calculation, administration, research, analytical, data gathering and interpretation, organisational, planning, attention to detail, decision-making and report-writing and presentation capabilities.

• Accountants require a commerce degree majoring in accounting or finance (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Most people working in accountancy are members of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA), and employers prefer this.

• There are opportunities for flexibility of movement when performing these roles.