Senior Financial Controller, NZ Accounting – Construction

Job Description:

  • Own the day-to-day finance function and maintain accurate financial records
  • Complete month-end reconciliations and close processes
  • Provide management with visibility over financial performance
  • Prepare management reports and financial statements
  • Identify discrepancies, risks, and areas requiring attention
  • Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
  • Prepare, manage, and submit construction progress claims and payment claims
  • Manage job-based billing, including tiling projects
  • Monitor outstanding claims and follow up payments
  • Keep project and billing information aligned across financial and job management systems
  • Manage financial processes through Xero and WorkflowMax
  • Maintain job, billing, and financial data across both platforms
  • Manage data exports and re-imports where required
  • Troubleshoot discrepancies between project and accounting records
  • Manage accounts payable and receivable end to end
  • Process supplier invoices and payments, monitor debtors, issue invoices and statements, follow up overdue accounts, and complete bank reconciliations
  • Manage or oversee payroll processing and related reconciliations, reporting, and administration
  • Review finance processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement improved workflows, controls, and system integrations
  • Develop documented procedures for month-end, billing, payment claims, and reporting
  • Drive improved structure and financial visibility as the business scales
  • Potentially take on GST preparation, FBT obligations, year-end preparation, and broader compliance responsibilities

Requirements:

  • 4–6 years of experience in financial management, accounting, or a senior hands-on finance role
  • Strong practical Xero experience and demonstrated WorkflowMax proficiency
  • Experience preparing construction payment claims and progress claims
  • Strong understanding of job-based and project-based billing
  • Proven experience across AP, AR, payroll, reconciliations, and month-end close
  • Strong financial and management reporting capability with advanced Excel skills
  • Ability to work independently, take ownership of the finance function, and proactively improve systems and processes
  • High attention to detail and a proactive, structured approach to problem-solving
  • WorkflowMax, Xero, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365
  • Previous experience in a New Zealand construction, trades, tiling, or project-based business
  • Experience billing tiling or specialist subcontracting projects
  • Understanding of New Zealand construction payment claim requirements and processes
  • Experience with GST, FBT, and year-end account preparation
  • Background as a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Management Accountant, or senior-level accountant within a growing SME
  • Demonstrated experience implementing or improving finance systems and process

Benefits:

  • Public holidays in NZ
  • Potential to expand into a full-time position as the business grows
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