Finance Business Partner - Projects

Alstef Group; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Alstef Group is seeking a Finance Business Partner – Projects in Auckland, NZ to work closely with the project team and maintain financial integrity across projects. You will develop cost tracking processes, analyse variances to forecasts and support the completion of claims and variations.

Key duties include managing financial compliance, owning the Project Trust Account and supporting audits, along with maintaining cashflow forecasts and overseeing AP/AR to ensure timely invoicing.

Qualifications

• Senior finance partnering experience in complex engineering, infrastructure or construction.
• Minimum of 5 years of project accounting experience.
• Professional accounting qualification (CA/CPA or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Ensure financial compliance and assist with audits for project finances.
• Own and manage the Project Trust Account and regulatory compliance (IFRS/AASB).
• Assist with internal and external audits.
• Support monthly claims valuation and submission for projects.
• Maintain and update monthly project cashflow forecasts.
• Coordinate accounts payable and receivable for timely invoicing.

Skills

Senior finance partnering

Project accounting

Stakeholder management

Forecasting & variance analysis

Financial communication

Education

CA/CPA or equivalent

Tertiary qualification in accounting/finance

Tools

Workbench Project Management Software

Job description

Ready to move beyond the numbers? Join us as a Finance Business Partner and use your commercial insight, influence and leadership capability to make a real impact across the business.

About the role:

The Finance Business Partner – Projects, will work closely with the Project team to maintain the financial integrity of projects, ensuring accurate and transparent financial data to support informed planning and decision-making.

This role involves developing cost tracking processes, analysing and reporting on variances to forecasts and supporting the completion of claims and variations.

Other key responsibilities:

• Manage financial compliance and assist with audits related to project finances
• Ensure compliance with all financial regulations (QBCC, AASB, IFRS) and company policies, through ownership of the Project Trust Account
• Assist with internal and external audits
• Support the Project team with the valuation and submission of monthly claims
• Maintain and update the project cashflow forecast on a monthly basis
• Coordinate accounts payable and receivable functions to ensure timely approval and processing of invoices

Skills & Experience

You will bring a collaborative and commercially minded approach, with the ability to build trusted relationships across the business and partner effectively with Project Managers, Engineers and senior leaders. As a confident communicator, you will be able to translate financial information into clear, meaningful insights, constructively challenge thinking and influence sound commercial decision-making.

You will be proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused, with strong judgement and the confidence to ask the right questions, identify emerging risks and challenge assumptions where appropriate. Strong attention to detail and organisational skills are essential, together with the ability to manage competing priorities, work to tight deadlines and remain composed in a fast-paced project environment.

• Previous experience in a Senior Finance partnering role, ideally within a complex Engineering, Infrastructure or Construction environment
• Minimum of 5 years of project accounting experience
• Relevant tertiary qualification and a professional accounting certification (CA/CPA or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of revenue recognition accounting principles relating to construction contracts
• Previous leadership experience would be ideal
• Understanding of long‑term financial management
• Strong commercial awareness and acumen
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to convey financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders
• Familiarity with Workbench Project Management Software is an advantage
• Ability to produce high‑quality reports within timeframes
• A collaborative approach and ability to engage with diverse teams and stakeholders

This role provides a clear pathway for continued growth within the Finance function, with the potential to take on broader leadership responsibilities over time.