Senior Financial Accountant

Watercare Services Limited; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Watercare Services Limited in Auckland seeks a Senior Financial Accountant to join the Newmarket Finance team. You will report to the Financial Reporting & Analysis Manager, delivering timely financial reporting, providing technical accounting expertise and strengthening governance and controls.

You will work with stakeholders across Finance, Auckland Council, auditors and the wider business to drive efficiency and continuous improvement in financial reporting, including climate-related

Qualifications

• CAANZ Chartered Accountant qualification (or equivalent).
• 5+ years' experience in accounting, finance, audit or financial reporting.
• Experience preparing statutory and management financial reports.
• Sound knowledge of IFRS and financial reporting requirements.
• Audit or assurance experience, either in practice or industry.
• Proven ability to analyze complex financial information and provide practical recommendations.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience within infrastructure, utilities or asset-intensive organisations and exposure to ERP systems such as Infor.

Responsibilities

• Leading the preparation and delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting.
• Preparing financial statements, management reports, disclosure notes and compliance reporting.
• Providing technical accounting advice and supporting implementation of new accounting and reporting standards.
• Coordinating external audit activities and responding to stakeholder queries.
• Managing balance sheet reconciliations and ensuring strong financial controls are maintained.
• Leading key tax compliance activities including FBT and supporting R&D tax claims.
• Supporting climate-related and sustainability reporting requirements.
• Contributing to forecasting, budgeting processes and continuous improvement initiatives across Finance.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Excel

IFRS knowledge

Audit experience

Attention to detail

MS Office

Education

CAANZ Chartered Accountant qualification

Tools

Infor ERP

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 Now is an exciting time to join Watercare, we're planning to spend $14 billion over the next 10 years to ensure we can continue to support our growing city in a climate-resilient way. When you average that out, that's an investment of $3.8 million every day!

He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly capable Senior Financial Accountant to join our Newmarket-based Finance team and make a real impact. Reporting to the Financial Reporting & Analysis Manager, you’ll play a key role in delivering accurate, timely financial reporting, providing technical accounting expertise, and strengthening compliance and governance at Watercare. This is a varied and influential role where you'll work closely with stakeholders across Finance, Auckland Council, auditors and the wider business to protect the integrity of Watercare's financial reporting and controls, while contributing to an organisation that is actively pursuing efficiency opportunities through AI, automation and continuous improvement.

• Leading the preparation and delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting
• Preparing financial statements, management reports, disclosure notes and compliance reporting
• Providing technical accounting advice and supporting implementation of new accounting and reporting standards
• Coordinating external audit activities and responding to stakeholder queries
• Managing balance sheet reconciliations and ensuring strong financial controls are maintained
• Leading key tax compliance activities including FBT and supporting R&D tax claims
• Supporting climate-related and sustainability reporting requirements
• Contributing to forecasting, budgeting processes and continuous improvement initiatives across Finance

Ngā pūkenga e rapu nei mātou | About you

You’ll be a technically strong accountant who enjoys working in a complex environment where accuracy, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly valued. You’re comfortable managing competing priorities, interpreting accounting standards, and building trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Experience gained in a Big 4 accounting firm would be advantageous but is not essential. To be successful, you’ll bring:

• CAANZ Chartered Accountant qualification (or equivalent)
• At least 5 years' experience in accounting, finance, audit or financial reporting roles
• Strong experience preparing statutory and management financial reports
• Sound knowledge of IFRS and financial reporting requirements
• Audit or assurance experience, either in practice or industry
• Proven ability to analyse complex financial information and provide practical recommendations
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly
• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office skills
• Experience within infrastructure, utilities, technology or other asset-intensive organisations will be advantageous, as will exposure to ERP systems such as Infor.

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