How much do financial controllers earn in New Zealand?
Financial controllers in New Zealand are advertised at $145,000–$165,000 a year (middle 50% of SEEK job ads, October 2026). Base pay is $160,000–$250,000 in Auckland, $160,000–$200,000 in Wellington and $150,000–$190,000 in Christchurch (Robert Walters, 2026).
Sources: SEEK: Financial Controller salary in NZ (October 2026), Robert Walters Salary Guide 2026: Australia & New Zealand. Figures checked 18 October 2026.
| Role / level | Salary range | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial controller | $145,000–$165,000 | Advertised, national | [1] |
| Financial controller | $160,000–$250,000 | Base, Auckland | [2] |
| Financial controller | $160,000–$200,000 | Base, Wellington | [2] |
| Financial controller | $150,000–$190,000 | Base, Christchurch | [2] |
Sources
- [1] SEEK: Financial Controller salary in NZ (October 2026), published October 2026. Checked 2026-10-18. Advertised salaries in SEEK job ads; range is the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile).
- [2] Robert Walters Salary Guide 2026: Australia & New Zealand, published February 2026. Checked 2026-10-18. Permanent base salaries, excluding benefits and bonuses.
What does the role involve?
A financial controller owns the accuracy of a company's accounts: financial reporting, internal controls, audits and compliance. It is usually the step between finance manager and CFO, and most controllers are qualified Chartered Accountants (CA) or CPAs.