Senior Accountant

About The Back Room

We exist to free our clients' time so they can focus on what they do best — growing their business. We deliver smart, efficient solutions that liberate teams from the everyday admin, and we hold ourselves to the same standard. Time is the ultimate currency, and we treat it like it.

About the Client
Our client is a manufacturing company based in New Zealand, looking to build their offshore team to support their accounting function. They operate in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where accurate financial reporting, proactive cashflow management, and timely business insights are critical to operational success. This role exists to provide financial oversight and decision support by ensuring the business has reliable financial information to drive informed decision-making.

The Role
As a Senior Accountant, you'll serve as the financial control hub of the business, partnering directly with the Managing Director to provide accurate financial reporting, cashflow visibility, and commercial insights. You'll take ownership of month-end reporting, budgeting, statutory compliance, and debtor management while supporting strategic financial decisions that contribute to the company's long-term success. This role is ideal for an experienced accountant who enjoys taking ownership, driving continuous improvement, and working closely with business leaders.

What You'll Do

• Cashflow & Liquidity Management

  • Maintain clear, current cashflow visibility at all times — this is a primary accountability

  • Complete weekly cashflow reporting and provide to the Managing Director

  • Reconcile bank accounts and monitor daily cash position

  • Manage FX accounts and ensure sufficient FX contracts are held to cover business requirements

  • Work closely with the Managing Director on loan structure and funding requirements

• Debtors & Collections

  • Own the debtors ledger and drive proactive collections — this is a primary accountability

  • Monitor debtor days and escalate overdue accounts promptly

  • Oversee invoicing and statements; coordinate with support staff on basic AR admin

  • Maintain strong relationships with key customers to facilitate prompt payment

• Month-End Close & P&L Reporting

  • Lead and complete the month-end close process to deliver an accurate P&L within 5 working days of month-end

  • Prepare and post month-end journals, accruals and reconciliations

  • Complete fixed asset processing including capitalising CWIP items, running depreciation and reconciling CWIP accounts

  • Review AP and AR sub-ledger integrity prior to close

  • Maintain financial integrity and ethical standards across all reporting

• Cost Control & Reporting

  • Provide in-month oversight of spend versus budget across all cost centres

  • Prepare monthly management reporting and KPI updates for the Managing Director and leadership team

  • Track and report on key cost areas monthly including logs, electricity, fuel and freight

  • Engage regularly with managers on cost centre performance and variances

  • Flag emerging cost risks early with clear commentary — not just numbers

• Budgeting & Forecasting

  • Own the annual budget preparation process, working closely with the MD and key business staff

  • Complete monthly P&L, balance sheet and cashflow forecasts

  • Own the capex planning process and monitor actual spend against approved capex

  • Support forecasting discipline to ensure ongoing alignment with the annual budget

• Compliance & Statutory Obligations

  • Complete and file GST, RWT and FBT returns accurately and on time for all entities

  • Ensure payment of tax obligations including provisional tax

  • Act as the primary point of contact for external accountants on year-end accounts, tax returns and complex compliance matters

  • Complete any other statutory returns as required (e.g. Statistics NZ)

  • Work closely with the MD on annual insurance renewal and any claims

• Support Layer Oversight

  • Provide clear direction to the Admin/Finance Support role on transactional tasks (AP processing, payment run preparation, AR admin)

  • Review and approve payment runs prepared by support staff before execution

  • Maintain clear process documentation for transactional finance tasks

  • Ensure the support layer has what it needs to operate consistently — not ad hoc

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

• Significant experience in a Senior Accountant or Financial Management role

• Proven experience managing cashflow reporting, budgeting, and financial forecasting

• Strong experience with month-end close, reconciliations, and fixed asset accounting

• Experience managing debtors, collections, and working capital

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong proficiency in Xero or similar accounting systems

• Experience preparing GST, RWT, FBT, and other statutory filings

• Strong communication skills with the confidence to partner directly with senior leadership

• High level of integrity, sound judgment, and ability to work independently

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet critical deadlines

Nice to Have

• CA or CPA qualification, or currently working toward one

• Experience within the manufacturing, sawmill, or similar industry

• Experience with multi-entity accounting and financial consolidations

• Experience leading or overseeing transactional finance teams

• Exposure to foreign exchange (FX) management and capital expenditure planning

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to play a highly visible role within a growing New Zealand manufacturing business, partnering directly with senior leadership to influence financial performance and business decisions. You'll have ownership of key financial functions, contribute to strategic planning, and help build the financial discipline that supports the company's continued growth and operational success.

This role is open to Philippine citizens currently based in the Philippines.

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