Project Accountant

Watercare Services Ltd; New Zealand; Vor Ort; NZD 90.000 - 130.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Watercare Services Ltd is seeking a Project Accountant to join our Finance team in New Zealand. The role focuses on providing financial oversight for major capital projects, partnering with project managers and delivery teams to forecast costs, manage risks, and support decision making throughout the project lifecycle.

You will embed within project teams, ensuring forecasts reflect delivery realities, aligning ERP data with project controls, and guiding the business through monthly cycles,

Qualifikationen

• A tertiary qualification in Finance or related field.
• 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.

Aufgaben

• Own project financial performance, forecasting, and cost reporting across a portfolio of capital projects.
• Maintain alignment and reconciliation between project controls systems and ERP financial data.
• 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.
• 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.

Kenntnisse

Forecasting

Budgeting

Cost control

Financial reporting

Stakeholder management

Ausbildung

Finance/Accounting degree

Engineering background

Tools

ERP systems

Project controls software

Jobbeschreibung

Project Accountant

Company : Watercare Services Ltd Job Type : Full Time New Zealand

Job Description - Project Accountant

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