Senior Financial Controller (Part Time - NZ Accounting with Construction)

The position starts at 15–20 hours per week, making it well-suited to a senior finance professional currently supporting multiple clients or businesses. As the business grows, the role has clear potential to expand into a full-time position, with scope to absorb responsibilities currently held by external accountants.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Management & Reporting

* Own the day-to-day finance function, maintain accurate records, complete month-end reconciliations and close processes, and provide management with clear visibility over financial performance.
* Prepare regular management reports and financial statements; identify discrepancies, risks, and areas requiring attention.
* Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning; develop reporting that drives informed commercial decisions.

Construction Billing & Payment Claims

* Prepare, manage, and submit progress claims and payment claims for construction projects and main contractors, accurately and within required timeframes.
* Manage job-based billing including tiling projects; monitor outstanding claims and follow up payments as required.
* Ensure project and billing information remains aligned across financial and job management systems.

Xero & WorkflowMax

* Manage all financial processes through Xero and work confidently within WorkflowMax.
* Maintain accurate job, billing, and financial data across both platforms; manage the flow of information between systems including data exports and re-imports where required.
* Troubleshoot discrepancies between project and accounting records; identify and implement improvements to how both systems are used.

Accounts Payable, Receivable & Payroll

* Manage AP and AR end to end, supplier invoices, payment processing, debtor monitoring, invoicing, statements, overdue follow-up, and bank reconciliations.
* Manage or oversee payroll processing, ensure employee data, hours, leave, and pay obligations are accurately maintained and processed on schedule.
* Complete payroll reconciliations and support associated reporting and administration.

Systems & Process Improvement

* Review existing finance processes and identify inefficiencies; implement improved workflows, controls, and system integrations.
* Reduce manual administration and develop consistent, documented procedures for month-end, billing, payment claims, and reporting.
* Introduce greater structure and financial visibility as the business scales, the expectation is to actively drive improvement, not maintain the status quo.

Future Scope

* As the role develops, there is potential to take on GST preparation, FBT obligations, year-end preparation, and broader compliance responsibilities currently supported by the external accountant.
* Exact scope will depend on the successful candidate’s experience and capability.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

* 4–6 years of experience in financial management, accounting, or a senior hands-on finance role
* Strong practical Xero experience and demonstrated WorkflowMax proficiency
* Experience preparing construction payment claims and progress claims
* Strong understanding of job-based and project-based billing
* Proven experience across AP, AR, payroll, reconciliations, and month-end close
* Strong financial and management reporting capability with advanced Excel skills
* Ability to work independently, take ownership of the finance function, and proactively improve systems and processes
* High attention to detail and a proactive, structured approach to problem-solving

TOOLS & SYSTEMS (NON-NEGOTIABLE):

* WorkflowMax, Xero & Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365

PREFERRED SKILLS (NICE TO HAVE):

* Previous experience in a New Zealand construction, trades, tiling, or project-based business
* Experience billing tiling or specialist subcontracting projects
* Understanding of New Zealand construction payment claim requirements and processes
* Experience with GST, FBT, and year-end account preparation
* Background as a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Management Accountant, or senior-level accountant within a growing SME
* Demonstrated experience implementing or improving finance systems and process