Financial Controller

Simpson Grierson is one of New Zealand's premier commercial law firms, recognised for delivering exceptional legal advice while fostering a collaborative, people-first culture. With offices across New Zealand and a reputation built on excellence, innovation and integrity, the firm is seeking an experienced Financial Controller.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership role where you will influence strategic decision-making and drive continuous improvement across finance systems, reporting and governance.

The opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will take ownership of the firm's financial operations, ensuring accurate reporting, robust financial controls and insightful commercial analysis that supports business performance. You'll work closely with the Board, Executive, Partners and Practice Group Leaders, becoming a trusted adviser on financial strategy and operational performance.

This is a broad role combining technical excellence, commercial partnering and people leadership within a highly respected professional services environment.

Key responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

• Delivering monthly management reporting, board reporting and financial analysis.
• Driving budgeting, forecasting, scenario modelling and cashflow management.
• Ensuring compliance across GST, PAYE, FBT, income tax, IFRS and statutory reporting.
• Managing external relationships including auditors, tax advisers and banking partners.
• Overseeing partner profit share, drawings and remuneration administration.
• Identifying opportunities to improve finance processes, controls, automation and reporting.
• Managing the firm's financial systems, including the Aderant practice management platform.
• Providing commercial insights that support strategic business decisions.

About you

You will be a commercially minded finance leader who enjoys partnering with senior stakeholders while remaining hands-on across the finance function.

To be successful, you will bring:

• CA qualification.
• Significant experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or in another senior finance leadership position.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge across financial reporting, taxation and financial governance.
• Proven experience leading and developing finance teams.
• Exceptional analytical and financial modelling skills.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems capability.
• The ability to build credibility and influence at executive and board level.

Experience within a professional services environment, particularly legal services, together with exposure to Aderant or similar practice management systems, will be highly regarded.

What's on offer?

This is an opportunity to join one of New Zealand's most respected professional services firms in a role offering genuine breadth, influence and long-term career opportunity.

You'll enjoy:

• A strategic leadership position reporting directly to the COO.
• Close partnership with the Executive, Board and Partners.
• A collaborative and values-driven culture.
• The opportunity to modernise systems and improve finance capability.
• A highly respected brand with an outstanding reputation in the New Zealand market.
• Competitive remuneration and excellent employee benefits.

If you're looking for an opportunity to combine technical excellence with commercial leadership in a progressive and people-focused organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now, or contact me directly for a confidential discussion.

Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence in this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Willy McBride on +6493747331.