Internal Auditor – Construction Cost & Finance Controls

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora - Southern; Bay of Plenty; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora - Southern is seeking an Internal Auditor – Accounting & Construction Controls to lead and perform a range of audits across financial transactions, project costs, procurement, and labour reporting. You will review controls, ensure proper authorisation, and support governance with clear recommendations.

The role focuses on financial integrity, project accountability, and compliance with NZ requirements, reporting findings and contributing to process improvements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration, or related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct internal audits of financial transactions, project costs, procurement, supplier and subcontractor payments, and operational processes.
• Review project budgets, actual expenditure, cash flow, cost variations, and project profitability.
• Examine supplier invoices, purchase orders, contracts, and supporting documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Review labour costs, timesheets, payroll-related records, and allocation to projects.
• Verify proper recording and allocation of materials, labour, and equipment costs.
• Assess effectiveness of internal controls and identify financial, operational, procurement, and compliance risks.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting/Finance/Auditing/Business Administration

Tools

Excel

Accounting/audit software

Job description

Internal Auditor – Accounting & Construction Controls

The details include responsibilities across financial audits, project audits, compliance audits, operational audits, risk management, and reporting. The role emphasizes reviewing financial transactions, project costs, procurement, supplier and subcontractor payments, labour costs, and internal controls, with the aim of ensuring accuracy, proper authorisation, documentation, and compliance with policy and New Zealand requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct internal audits of financial transactions, construction project costs, procurement activities, supplier accounts, subcontractor payments, and operational processes.
• Review project budgets, actual expenditure, cash flow, cost variations, and project profitability.
• Examine supplier invoices, purchase orders, delivery records, subcontractor claims, payment records, contracts, and other supporting documents.
• Review labour costs, employee and contractor timesheets, payroll-related records, and the allocation of labour costs to individual construction projects.
• Verify that materials, labour, equipment, and subcontractor costs are correctly recorded and allocated to the appropriate projects.
• Compare project budgets with actual costs and investigate significant differences, cost overruns, duplicated charges, or unusual transactions.
• Assess the effectiveness of internal controls and identify financial, operational, procurement, and compliance risks.
• Confirm that transactions and payments are properly approved, accurately recorded, and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Review processes for selecting suppliers and subcontractors, approving quotations, purchasing materials, and authorising payments.
• Assist in monitoring contract variations, progress payments, retentions, deposits, and final project accounts.
• Review accounting records and reconcile relevant information with project reports, bank transactions, invoices, and supporting documents.
• Monitor compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, health and safety procedures, and applicable New Zealand legal and accounting requirements.
• Prepare internal audit reports outlining findings, risks, financial impacts, and recommended corrective actions.
• Present audit findings and practical recommendations to management.
• Follow up on audit findings and monitor the timely implementation of agreed corrective actions.
• Assist management in developing and improving internal audit procedures, financial controls, procurement policies, and project reporting systems.
• Maintain complete, organised, and confidential audit records and supporting documentation.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Relevant professional experience in internal auditing, accounting, financial control, project accounting, or construction cost control.
• Experience in construction, residential building, property development, project management, or a related industry would be an advantage.
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles, internal controls, budgeting, procurement, cost allocation, and financial reporting.
• An understanding of construction contracts, subcontractor claims, progress payments, retentions, and project variations would be beneficial.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to review complex financial and project information and identify errors, risks, inconsistencies, and weaknesses in existing processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good audit report-writing, documentation, and record-keeping abilities.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with accounting, construction management, or audit software would be an advantage.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a reliable and methodical professional who can independently review our financial and construction operations, clearly communicate audit findings, and provide practical recommendations.

The ideal candidate will understand both accounting controls and the commercial realities of residential construction. They should be capable of reviewing project costs, procurement, labour expenses, supplier accounts, and subcontractor payments while helping the company improve efficiency, accountability, and financial accuracy.