Project Accountant

Watercare; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Life and income protection insurance

Generous parental leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

Watercare is seeking experienced Project Accountants to join the Finance team in central Auckland. You will embed with project teams, providing financial oversight, forecasting, and commercial insight to keep major infrastructure initiatives on track.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years in project accounting, strong cost control, and excellent stakeholder management. On-site site walks and close collaboration with Project Managers are essential for success.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Around 5+ years' experience in project accounting, capital programme finance, or project financial management.
• Strong forecasting, budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting experience.
• Experience working in infrastructure, utilities, construction, or large capital delivery environments.
• Comfortable engaging with Project Managers, contractors and delivery teams both in the office and on site, building trusted relationships.

Responsibilities

• Own project financial performance, forecasting, and cost reporting across a portfolio of capital projects.
• Lead monthly forecasting cycles, including cashflow forecasting, estimate-at-completion reporting, and variance analysis.
• Provide meaningful financial insights on project risks, contingency usage, and emerging cost pressures.
• Support month-end processes, financial close activities, accruals, journals, and reporting packs.
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit readiness, change control, and compliance with investment management requirements.
• Support capitalisation processes and asset handover activities.

Skills

Forecasting

Budgeting

Cost control

Financial reporting

ERP platforms

Project controls

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Degree in Finance/Accounting/Quantity Surveying/Engineering

CA or CPA (preferred)

Tools

ERP platforms

Project controls systems

Job description

## Project AccountantApply: Central Auckland: Full time: Posted 2 Days Ago: End Date: October 27, 2026 (10 days left to apply): JR101283**He kōrero mō mātou | About Watercare** Ki te ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata*When the water is healthy, the land and the people are healthy* There's never been a better time to join Watercare. We're delivering a $15.2 billion, 10-year capital investment programme, the largest in our history, creating opportunities to work on transformative infrastructure, sustainability and digital projects that will shape Auckland's future. With more than $4 million invested every day, you'll be part of work that makes a lasting difference to our communities and environment. **He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role**We're looking for experienced **Project Accountants** to join our Finance team and work alongside the people delivering some of Auckland's most significant infrastructure projects. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys partnering closely with Project Managers, commercial teams and delivery leads, providing the financial oversight and commercial insight that supports successful project outcomes.You'll become an embedded member of project teams, helping leaders understand project performance, forecast costs accurately, manage risks and make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle. Whether reviewing project forecasts, supporting change control processes, or providing insight into emerging cost pressures, you'll play a key role in helping major projects stay on track.You will work side-by-side with Project Managers and delivery teams, building trusted relationships and providing practical financial advice throughout the construction and project delivery lifecycle. You'll help project teams understand the financial impact of key decisions, challenge assumptions where required, and ensure project forecasts reflect the realities of delivery on the ground.This will involve:* Owning project financial performance, forecasting, and cost reporting across a portfolio of capital projects.* Maintaining alignment and reconciliation between project controls systems and ERP financial data.* Leading monthly forecasting cycles, including cashflow forecasting, estimate-at-completion reporting, and variance analysis.* Providing meaningful financial insights on project risks, contingency usage, and emerging cost pressures.* Supporting month-end processes, financial close activities, accruals, journals, and reporting packs.* Ensuring robust financial governance, audit readiness, change control, and compliance with investment management requirements.* Supporting capitalisation processes and asset handover activities.* Acting as a trusted advisor to Project Managers and delivery teams while helping improve forecasting capability and financial discipline across the portfolio.**Ngā pūkenga e rapu nei mātou | About you**You're a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys partnering with stakeholders and translating complex data into meaningful insights that support decision-making.Your skills and experience will include:* A tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related discipline.* Around 5+ years' experience in project accounting, capital programme finance, or project financial management.* Strong forecasting, budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting experience.* Experience working within infrastructure, utilities, construction, or large capital delivery environments.* Comfortable engaging with Project Managers, contractors and delivery teams both in the office and on site, building trusted relationships and developing a strong understanding of project delivery activities. Walking a site comes naturally to you.* Experience with ERP platforms and project controls systems.* Advanced analytical skills and the confidence to challenge assumptions and improve forecast accuracy.* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.It would be advantageous if you also have:* CA or CPA qualification (or are working towards it).* Experience working within a regulated infrastructure environment.**Ngā hua mōu | What's in it for you**We offer a competitive salary and staff benefits package including: • Training and development opportunities • Life and income protection insurance plans • Generous parental leave • Employee discounts at a range of large retailers**Me pēhea te tono mai | How to Apply**Come and join our team! If you are looking for an exciting career opportunity with a fantastic team then please apply online today - careers.watercare.co.nz.