Job Description

Are you a CA with a current PPC who is ready to step into a role where you can genuinely take ownership of the compliance function?

I’m working with a well-established Auckland accounting firm that is looking for a Senior Manager of Compliance to take the lead on the planning, workflow, review and delivery of its compliance programme.

This is a role with a real point of difference. You won’t be spending your days buried in accounts preparation. Instead, you’ll have oversight of the compliance function, making sure work is scheduled, progressing, reviewed to a high standard and delivered on time.

The ultimate goal is simple: take the day-to-day compliance workload and workflow management away from the Partners, giving them more time to focus on clients, advisory work and the continued growth of the business.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll take ownership of the firm’s compliance calendar and have a clear view of what needs to happen, when it needs to happen and where things are sitting.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the annual compliance programme, including workflow, deadlines and priorities
• Monitoring progress and making sure work stays on track
• Reviewing financial statements, tax returns, GST returns, workpapers and supporting documentation
• Providing technical review and signing off work within the scope of your PPC
• Identifying and resolving quality or technical issues before they become problems
• Coordinating workflow between the internal accounting team and an outsourced accounting provider
• Keeping Partners and Senior Managers informed of progress, priorities and outstanding work
• Following up outstanding matters and ensuring work gets completed
• Reviewing and improving existing compliance processes and controls
• Looking for practical ways to use technology, automation and AI to improve efficiency
• Providing technical guidance to the wider team when required

There are no direct reports, so this is not a traditional people-management role. Instead, you’ll need to be comfortable influencing experienced accountants, managing workflow and driving accountability without relying on hierarchy.

What makes this role interesting?

The firm has deliberately moved away from a traditional accounting structure. Preparation-level work is largely supported externally, allowing the internal team to focus on higher-value work, client relationships and advisory services.

The client base is predominantly privately owned businesses, with a strong mix of compliance and advisory work. The business is continuing to refine its client portfolio, with a focus on quality over volume and increasing the amount of value-added advice provided to clients.

This role has been created as part of that continued growth.

It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys review, technical work, organisation and getting things done, and who would rather be responsible for making the whole compliance function work well than simply managing their own portfolio.

What we’re looking for:

You’ll need:

• CA qualification or equivalent
• A current New Zealand Public Practice Certificate (PPC) with the ability to review and sign off client work
• Strong experience within a New Zealand chartered accounting or professional services environment
• Strong technical knowledge across NZ accounting, tax and compliance
• Proven experience reviewing financial statements, tax returns, GST returns and workpapers
• Experience managing a significant volume of compliance work and competing deadlines
• Strong organisation and workflow management skills
• Excellent attention to detail and a genuine focus on quality
• The confidence to review work completed by experienced accounting professionals
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence without formal authority

Experience working with outsourced or offshore accounting teams would be highly regarded, as would an interest in how technology, automation and AI can improve accounting processes.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to step into a senior position with genuine ownership and influence. You’ll have the autonomy to shape how compliance is managed, improve the way work flows through the business and make a noticeable difference to how the Partners and wider team operate.