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

Position: Senior Financial Controller (Part time)

Salary: $2,000 - $2,700 NZD a month

Working Hours & Conditions: 15-20 hours per week NZ core business hours

Holidays: Public holidays in NZ

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Financial Controller to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function. This is not a reporting-only role, the right candidate will get into the detail across Xero, WorkflowMax, construction payment claims, job billing, payroll, AP/AR, and month-end, while also taking a proactive approach to identifying and improving systems and processes.

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

Originally posted on Himalayas