Project Accounting Lead

Watercare Services Limited; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Life and income protection insurance

Generous parental leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

Watercare Services Limited in Auckland seeks a seasoned finance leader to establish and mature Watercare's Project Accounting function. You will drive forecasting, cost management and financial controls across major capital programmes, partnering with programme managers and embedding new tools like Oracle Primavera Cloud and Aconex Cost.

You will lead a team of Project Accountants, ensuring robust governance, capital accounting compliance and informed investment decisions for Watercare's future

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting or related discipline.
• CA/CPA or equivalent professional qualification required.
• Extensive experience in project accounting or infrastructure finance.
• Experience in leading finance teams and partnering with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead Watercare's new Project Accounting function.
• Provide senior financial leadership across major capital programmes.
• Drive forecasting, cost management and financial assurance.
• Challenge and validate project forecasts, risks and funding needs.
• Support implementation of project controls and portfolio management systems.
• Collaborate with Capital Reporting to deliver integrated portfolio performance.

Skills

Finance leadership

Forecasting & cost management

Stakeholder engagement

Project accounting experience

Education

CA or CPA or equivalent

Tools

Oracle Primavera Cloud

Aconex Cost

Job description

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 this role

Reporting to the Capital Performance & Reporting Manager, you'll lead the establishment and ongoing maturity of the Project Accounting function, ensuring robust financial management, forecasting, capitalisation, controls and assurance across Watercare's capital investment portfolio. You'll partner closely with programme and project managers, providing expert financial advice, constructive challenge and decision-ready insights that support successful project delivery. This role will also play a key part in embedding new programme management tools, including Oracle Primavera Cloud and Aconex Cost, helping design the financial processes, controls and reporting frameworks that will support Watercare's future ways of working.

What you'll be doing

Establish and lead Watercare's new Project Accounting function Coach, develop and inspire a team of Project Accountants Provide senior financial leadership across major capital programmes Drive best-practice forecasting, cost management and financial assurance Challenge and validate project forecasts, risks, contingencies and funding requirements Partner with programme leaders to support informed investment and delivery decisions Support the implementation of new project controls and portfolio management systems Ensure strong governance, financial controls and capital accounting compliance Collaborate with the Capital Reporting team to deliver integrated portfolio performance reporting

Ngā pūkenga e rapu nei mātou | About you

You’ll be an experienced finance leader who combines technical excellence with strong commercial judgement and the ability to influence at senior levels. You'll enjoy building capability, creating structure within complex environments and partnering with stakeholders to drive better business outcomes.

You’ll bring: A tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, Commerce or a related discipline CA, CPA or equivalent professional qualification Extensive experience in project accounting, infrastructure financeor programme controls Proven success leading and developing high-performing finance teams Strong expertise in forecasting, cost management, financial controls and capital accounting Experience working across large, complex capital portfolios or programmes The ability to provide objective challenge and trusted financial advice to senior stakeholders Experience implementing or embedding project, portfolio or ERP systems Experience within infrastructure, utilities, construction or other asset-intensive industries will be highly regarded.

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