This is a remote position.
A fast-growing, dynamic financial services firm is looking for a self-driven Senior Accountant to take absolute ownership of annual accounts and tax compliance for their expanding New Zealand client base. This is a fully remote, permanent, full-time role with flexibility. This is a dedicated, high-impact delivery role designed for an experienced professional who loves the craft of accounting, thrives in a high-trust remote environment, and gets genuine satisfaction from getting quality work finished accurately, on time, and on budget.
You don’t need New Zealand tax experience on day one—the core mechanics of practice accounting carry across, and the firm will fully back you with the systems and training to master the NZ specifics quickly. What you do need is a rock-solid background in South African practice accounting, high tech-agility, and the disciplined autonomy to manage complex client portfolios without being micromanaged.
Responsibilities:
- End-to-End Compliance Ownership: Prepare annual financial statements and income tax returns for a diverse portfolio of NZ clients—including companies, trusts, partnerships, and sole traders—moving efficiently from trial balance to filed returns.
- Flawless File Preparation: Build pristine, review-ready files that stand completely on their own without requiring extra explanation ("if it isn't documented, it isn't done").
- Strategic Tax Insights: Proactively spot tax efficiencies and identify anomalies or balance-sheet discrepancies long before they become client-facing issues.
- Large & Complex Group Accounts: Comfortably navigate complex entity structures, multi-layered group accounts, and larger turnover client portfolios with speed and accuracy.
- Portfolio & Budget Execution: Maintain exceptional personal productivity, ensuring work is delivered with high technical accuracy while adhering to agreed time budgets and client deadlines.
Requirements
- Proven Practice Background: Substantial, hands-on experience working inside a public accounting practice/bureau environment.
- Ideal Qualifications (Highly Advantageous): A completed BCom Accounting degree or a professional registration (CA / SAIPA / SAICA / AGSA) is highly desirable, though exceptional hands-on practice experience will trump formal qualifications.
- Technical Mastery: Strong, verifiable track record in drafting annual financial statements and complex tax returns. Experience handling larger group accounts is a distinct advantage.
- Adaptability & Learning Speed: While SA tax/accounting is your foundation, you must possess the technical sharpness and appetite to learn NZ tax and reporting frameworks rapidly.
- Systems Agility: High proficiency with modern, cloud-based practice tools. Hands-on experience with Xero and Karbon (or similar workflow engines) is a strong advantage.
- Remote Excellence & Ownership: High personal discipline, a dedicated and reliable home office setup, and the self-motivation to manage your own workload and hit delivery targets independently.
Benefits
- True Remote Flexibility: Work from anywhere in South Africa with structured flexibility built around high output rather than desk hours.
- Exceptional Leave & Perks: Enjoy 5 weeks of annual leave, home office setup support, health allowances, and medical aid contributions (benefits become eligible after 6 consecutive months of employment).
- International Upskilling: Master an international tax and reporting system (New Zealand), adding high-value global expertise to your accounting skill set.
- A High-Trust Culture: Join a results-driven team that values quality, respects efficiency, and backs its people to perform.