Senior Financial Assets Accountant

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!

We’re seeking a Senior Financial Fixed Assets Accountant (Regulatory) to be the subject matter expert for regulatory asset accounting and governance within a large, complex infrastructure environment. This is a high‑impact role with visibility across Finance, Economic Regulation, Projects and Operations and will have regular engagement with auditors, valuers and regulators.

He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role

In this senior specialist role, you will take ownership of the Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) and ensure its integrity, governance and compliance across the full asset lifecycle. You’ll be the go‑to expert on regulatory asset accounting, responsible for defining and maintaining accounting positions, resolving complex judgement areas, and ensuring disclosures meet Commerce Commission requirements.

A key focus of the role is managing the interface between statutory reporting (NZ GAAP / PBE IPSAS) and regulatory reporting, ensuring differences are well understood, documented and defensible.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys technical depth, clear governance, and influencing outcomes in a high‑scrutiny environment.

Key responsibilities

• Own and maintain the RAB governance framework, including methodology, policies, controls and documentation standards
• Act as the SME and escalation point for complex regulatory fixed asset accounting issues
• Lead regulatory asset reporting and disclosures, ensuring compliance with Commerce Commission Input Methodologies
• Own statutory‑to‑regulatory reconciliations, including depreciation, asset lives, valuation bases and capitalisation differences
• Lead the regulatory component of audit and assurance, resolving findings and managing evidence requirements
• Govern capitalisation, FAR and Regulatory WIP, ensuring data quality, timely commissioning and compliant asset records
• Partner with project, asset and operational teams to improve handover, data quality and regulatory outcomes
• Mentor and uplift capability across the Financial Assets team and wider business

Ngā pūkenga e rapu nei mātou | About you

You’re a technically strong accountant who can combine detail with big‑picture thinking. You’re comfortable forming and defending technical positions, engaging confidently with senior stakeholders, and bringing structure to complex regulatory requirements.

You will bring:

• A degree in Accounting or Finance and CAANZ / CPA (or equivalent) qualification
• 5+ years’ experience in fixed asset / infrastructure accounting, financial reporting or audit
• Strong understanding of NZ GAAP / PBE IPSAS, with the ability to apply judgement in complex scenarios
• Experience preparing complex reconciliations and assurance‑ready disclosures
• Proven ability to work with non‑finance stakeholders to improve data quality and compliance
• Experience with fixed asset registers and ERP environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Regulatory or high‑scrutiny environments (e.g. Commerce Commission), Regulatory disclosures, RAB, asset valuation or impairment experience

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

Me pēhea te tono mai | How to Apply

Come and join our team! If you are looking for an exciting career opportunity with a fantastic team then please apply online today - careers.watercare.co.nz.