Sustainable Materials Intern - Engineering & Packaging

Science New Zealand Inc; Bay of Plenty; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Three Dukes Home Limited is seeking an experienced Internal Auditor to strengthen financial controls across accounting and construction cost management. The role collaborates with management, project teams, suppliers and subcontractors to ensure transactions are properly authorised, recorded, and compliant with NZ requirements, while improving efficiency and accountability in our construction projects.

You will review budgets, procurement processes, contractor variations, and contract payments;

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, or related field.
• Relevant experience in internal auditing, accounting, financial control, project accounting, or construction cost control.
• Experience in construction, residential building, property development, project management is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, internal controls, budgeting, procurement, cost allocation, and financial reporting.
• Understanding of construction contracts, subcontractor claims, progress payments, retentions, and variations is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Conduct internal audits of financial transactions, construction project costs, procurement activities, supplier accounts, subcontractor payments, and operational processes.
• Review project budgets, actual expenditure, cash flow, cost variations, and project profitability.
• Examine supplier invoices, purchase orders, delivery records, subcontractor claims, payment records, contracts, and other documents.
• Review labour costs, timesheets, payroll records, and allocation of labour costs to projects.
• Verify materials, labour, equipment, and subcontractor costs are correctly recorded and allocated.
• Compare budgets with actual costs and investigate significant differences, cost overruns, or unusual transactions.
• Assess effectiveness of internal controls and identify risks.
• Ensure transactions and payments are properly approved and documented.
• Review supplier selection, quotations, purchasing, and payment authorisation processes.
• Assist in monitoring contract variations, progress payments, retentions, deposits, and final accounts.
• Reconcile accounting records with project reports, bank transactions, invoices, and supporting documents.
• Monitor compliance with policies, contractual obligations, health and safety, and NZ requirements.
• Prepare audit reports outlining findings, risks, impacts, and corrective actions.
• Present findings and recommendations to management.
• Follow up on corrective actions and monitor implementation.
• Assist management in improving audit procedures and reporting systems.
• Work with teams to understand processes and identify improvements.
• Maintain confidential audit records and up-to-date with practice changes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Written & verbal communication

Audit/report writing

Independence

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Excel

Audit software

Accounting software

Job description

Internal Auditor – Accounting & Construction Controls

Job Description

About the Role

Three Dukes Home Limited is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Internal Auditor to review and strengthen the company’s financial controls, construction cost management, procurement processes, and operational procedures.

The successful candidate will work closely with management, accounting staff, project managers, site teams, suppliers, and subcontractors. The role is responsible for ensuring that financial and construction-related transactions are accurate, properly authorised, adequately documented, and compliant with company policies and relevant New Zealand requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct internal audits of financial transactions, construction project costs, procurement activities, supplier accounts, subcontractor payments, and operational processes.
• Review project budgets, actual expenditure, cash flow, cost variations, and project profitability.
• Examine supplier invoices, purchase orders, delivery records, subcontractor claims, payment records, contracts, and other supporting documents.
• Review labour costs, employee and contractor timesheets, payroll-related records, and the allocation of labour costs to individual construction projects.
• Verify that materials, labour, equipment, and subcontractor costs are correctly recorded and allocated to the appropriate projects.
• Compare project budgets with actual costs and investigate significant differences, cost overruns, duplicated charges, or unusual transactions.
• Assess the effectiveness of internal controls and identify financial, operational, procurement, and compliance risks.
• Confirm that transactions and payments are properly approved, accurately recorded, and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Review the processes for selecting suppliers and subcontractors, approving quotations, purchasing materials, and authorising payments.
• Assist in monitoring contract variations, progress payments, retentions, deposits, and final project accounts.
• Review accounting records and reconcile relevant information with project reports, bank transactions, invoices, and supporting documents.
• Monitor compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, health and safety procedures, and applicable New Zealand legal and accounting requirements.
• Prepare clear internal audit reports outlining findings, identified risks, financial impacts, and recommended corrective actions.
• Present audit findings and practical recommendations to management.
• Follow up on audit findings and monitor the timely implementation of agreed corrective actions.
• Assist management in developing and improving internal audit procedures, financial controls, procurement policies, and construction project reporting systems.
• Work with accounting staff, project managers, site teams, suppliers, and subcontractors to understand existing processes and identify areas for improvement.
• Maintain complete, organised, and confidential audit records and supporting documentation.
• Keep up to date with relevant accounting practices, construction industry requirements, regulatory changes, and internal audit standards.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Relevant professional experience in internal auditing, accounting, financial control, project accounting, or construction cost control.
• Experience in construction, residential building, property development, project management, or a related industry would be an advantage.
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles, internal controls, budgeting, procurement, cost allocation, and financial reporting.
• An understanding of construction contracts, subcontractor claims, progress payments, retentions, and project variations would be beneficial.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to review complex financial and project information and identify errors, risks, inconsistencies, and weaknesses in existing processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good audit report-writing, documentation, and record-keeping abilities.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with accounting, construction management, or audit software would be an advantage.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a reliable and methodical professional who can independently review our financial and construction operations, clearly communicate audit findings, and provide practical recommendations.

The ideal candidate will understand both accounting controls and the commercial realities of residential construction. They should be capable of reviewing project costs, procurement, labour expenses, supplier accounts, and subcontractor payments while helping the company improve efficiency, accountability, and financial accuracy.