Audit - Senior Associate - Hamilton

PwC South Africa; Hamilton; Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus opportunities

Referral bonuses

Retail discounts & deals

AI tools and training

Wellbeing resources (Sonder/EAP/Headsp

Job summary

PwC New Zealand in Hamilton is seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join our Assurance team. You will lead external audit engagements, collaborate with clients to understand risks, and apply sound judgement to complex issues, while coaching junior staff and leveraging PwC methodologies.

You’ll work across diverse clients, with on-site, Hamilton office, and hybrid work options, in a supportive local team that integrates PwC’s national and global network to deliver high-quality audits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years external audit experience in large or international professional services
• Experience contributing to or leading end-to-end external audit engagements
• A recognised professional accounting qualification such as CAANZ, CPA, ACCA, ICAEW or equivalent, or be progressing towards completion
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting standards, including IFRS
• Experience coaching, supervising or reviewing junior team members
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Confident written and verbal communication skills
• A relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, commerce or a related discipline

Responsibilities

• Leading key areas of external audit engagements and supporting delivery from planning through to completion
• Working directly with clients to understand their businesses, risks, processes and financial information
• Applying sound judgement to complex or unfamiliar issues and finding practical ways forward
• Reviewing internal controls, financial information and audit evidence in line with PwC methodology and applicable auditing standards
• Coaching and reviewing the work of graduates and junior team members
• Working closely with Managers, Directors and specialists across PwC to deliver the best outcome for our clients
• Using technology and AI-enabled audit tools to support quality, analysis and efficient delivery
• Spending time with clients on-site, alongside working from our Hamilton office and from home where appropriate

Skills

External audit experience

Engagement leadership

IFRS knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Professional accounting qualification (CAANZ, CPA, ACCA, ICAEW or equivalent)

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting or commerce

Job description

Management Level Senior Associate Job Description & Summary Kia ora, Do more than take the next step. Take the next leap. Explore careers at PwC New Zealand. At PwC, our purpose is clear: to build trust in society and solve important problems. This is a place to keep growing. You’ll learn from the best, take on meaningful challenges, and make a lasting impact for our clients, our communities, and Aotearoa. We’re looking for an experienced auditor to join our Assurance team in Kirikiriroa / Hamilton as a Senior Associate. This is a great opportunity to broaden your experience across a varied client portfolio, work closely with senior leaders and take on greater ownership of your engagements. You’ll be part of a supportive local team, with access to the scale, expertise and opportunities of PwC’s wider national and global network.

Ngā kōrero mo tēnei tūranga / About the role

As a Senior Associate, you’ll play an important role in delivering high-quality external audits from planning through to completion. You’ll work across clients in sectors including infrastructure, utilities, manufacturing, forestry, not-for-profit and other significant public and private organisations. The work is varied and often complex, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to use your judgement, build your technical capability and develop strong commercial understanding.

Your day-to-day could include:

• Leading key areas of external audit engagements and supporting delivery from planning through to completion
• Working directly with clients to understand their businesses, risks, processes and financial information
• Applying sound judgement to complex or unfamiliar issues and finding practical ways forward
• Reviewing internal controls, financial information and audit evidence in line with PwC methodology and applicable auditing standards
• Coaching and reviewing the work of graduates and junior team members
• Working closely with Managers, Directors and specialists across PwC to deliver the best outcome for our clients
• Using technology and AI-enabled audit tools to support quality, analysis and efficient delivery
• Spending time with clients on-site, alongside working from our Hamilton office and from home where appropriate

This is a full-time role, Monday to Friday, with a minimum of 37.5 hours per week. Our Hamilton team combines the close connections of a local office with the opportunities of a large professional services firm. You’ll work alongside approachable leaders, gain exposure to a broad range of clients and have the chance to make a real contribution to the team. It’s an environment where people support each other, share ideas and enjoy working together. If you’re currently based elsewhere in Aotearoa or overseas and are considering a move to Hamilton, we’d also be happy to hear from you.

Ngā pūkenga ka kawea mai e koe, ka whakawhanakehia rānei i tēnei tūranga / Skills you will bring or develop in this role

We’re looking for someone with strong audit foundations who is comfortable taking initiative, working through ambiguity and building positive relationships with both clients and colleagues.

• 3+ years of external audit experience, preferably within a large or internationally recognised professional services or audit environment
• Experience contributing to or leading end-to-end external audit engagements
• A recognised professional accounting qualification such as CAANZ, CPA, ACCA, ICAEW or equivalent, or be progressing towards completion
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting standards, including IFRS
• Experience coaching, supervising or reviewing junior team members
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Confident written and verbal communication skills
• A relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, commerce or a related discipline

You don’t need to have worked with exactly the same clients or systems as us. What matters most is your ability to learn quickly, use good judgement and work well with the people around you. If you don’t meet every requirement, we still want to hear from you - your skills and potential may be a great fit.

Ngā āhuatanga hirahira o te mahi ki PwC / Highlights of working at PwC NZ

• Rewards - Discretionary bonus opportunities; generous referral bonuses; retail discounts & deals
• Growth - Global network; leadership development; A.I. tools and training; formal learning pathways
• Wellbeing - $250 annual wellbeing allowance; Life & income protection; Sonder/EAP/Headspace; 15 days’ paid sick leave; group-rate health insurance (eligibility applies)
• Reputation - PwC is known for shaping tomorrow. Join us and you’ll accelerate your career while helping clients and communities solve their most important problems.
• Flexibility - Flexible working; supportive coaching culture
• Time off - Two paid recognition days off provided each year during our annual summer shutdown period; purchase up to two extra weeks’ annual leave
• Whānau & community - Paid parental leave for all parents with flexible options and financial planning support; inclusive networks; paid volunteering leave

Mō te aha tāu e tatari ana? / What are you waiting for?

To learn how you can grow and shine in your career at PwC, visit our careers site at https://www.pwc.co.nz/careers.html. Grow here. Go further.

Ngā whakautu ki o pātai / Your questions answered

Motuhake / Independence: Maintaining independence is fundamental to demonstrating that PwC has not been influenced by any relationships or situations that undermine our objectivity. This role requires an independence review process.

We’re not currently partnering with recruitment agencies for this role.

Nau mai ngā tono wawe / We encourage early applications

This role may close before the listed date if we identify a suitable candidate.

Atamai hangahanga / A.I. usage:

Please note that secure, A.I.-enabled tools may support parts of our recruitment process, but all applications are reviewed and decisions made by our people.

Travel Requirements Up to 20%

Available for Work Visa Sponsorship? Yes

Job Posting End Date October 23, 2026

Are you ready to make a difference? Want to unlock new value by applying your unique perspective and talents? You can grow exponentially at PwC. Here, you can uncover hidden talents, build lifelong relationships rooted in trust and empathy and turn challenges into opportunities for innovation. We’ll help you grow your skills through challenging, meaningful work so you can go further.