Project Accounting Lead

Watercare Services Ltd; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development

Life and income protection insurance

Parental leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

Watercare Services Ltd is seeking a Project Accounting Lead to establish and mature the Project Accounting function, delivering robust financial management, forecasting, capitalisation, controls and assurance across Watercare's capital portfolio. You will partner with programme managers to provide trusted financial insights and drive informed investment decisions.

You’ll embed new tools such as Oracle Primavera Cloud and Aconex Cost, shaping financial processes and reporting for Watercare's

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, Commerce or related discipline.
• CA, CPA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Extensive experience in project accounting, infrastructure finance or programme controls.
• Proven success leading and developing high-performing finance teams.
• Strong expertise in forecasting, cost management, financial controls and capital accounting.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Financial leadership

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Commerce

CA/CPA or equivalent

Tools

Oracle Primavera Cloud

Aconex Cost

ERP systems

Job description

Project Accounting Lead

Company : Watercare Services Ltd Job Type : Full Time New Zealand JobCopilot will tailor your resume and auto-fill the application

Job Description - Project Accounting Lead

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