Financial Controller

About Vanguard
Vanguard is a 100% family-owned New Zealand business helping organisations create safer, more efficient workplaces. Since 1991, it has worked across construction, infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing and public spaces, with operations now spanning New Zealand and Australia.

The business operates across two divisions — Workplaces and Roading & Infrastructure — and is entering another stage of growth. Its culture is practical and ownership-driven: people are expected to make good calls, solve problems and raise the standard.

The Role
Vanguard is looking for a Financial Controller who sees month-end as the start of the conversation, not the end of the job.

You will own operational finance across the New Zealand and Australian businesses: management reporting, cashflow and forecasting, financial controls, NetSuite finance configuration, group compliance and leadership of the AR and AP team. A key early measure is management accounts by working day five, but the bigger goal is decision-ready information that tells leaders where the business is heading and what requires action.

You will work closely with the Business Support Manager, CEO and fractional CFO, progressively bringing more finance capability in-house. This is a hands-on role combining modelling and commercial decision support with the discipline of running a strong finance function.

What You’ll Own

• Consolidated group management accounts by working day five, with useful variance commentary
• Rolling forecasts, a 13-week cashflow forecast and three-way financial modelling
• Mid-month visibility into margin, overhead, working capital and performance across both divisions
• The financial configuration and reporting environment within NetSuite
• Financial controls, delegated authorities, approval disciplines and group compliance
• Group consolidation and intercompany accounting across New Zealand and Australia
• Leadership and development of the AR and AP team

What You’ll Bring

• Experience working within, or closely advising, a $35m–$50m+ complex business, ideally with Trans-Tasman operations
• Broad commercial finance capability across management reporting, cashflow, budgeting, forecasting and modelling
• Experience working under a CFO, Finance Director or similarly experienced finance leader, so you already understand what a strong finance function looks like
• A background in manufacturing, distribution, wholesale or another product-based business is highly relevant
• Alternatively, you may be a Manager or Senior Manager from a larger accounting firm who has advised complex private clients similar to Vanguard and worked well beyond compliance
• Multi-entity accounting, consolidation and intercompany experience
• ERP ownership or improvement experience; NetSuite is strongly preferred
• A relevant CA, CPA or equivalent qualification is strongly preferred, alongside the confidence to challenge constructively and own the outcome

Who This Could Suit
You may already be a Financial Controller or Senior Finance Manager in a larger Trans-Tasman business, or an experienced accounting-firm Manager or Senior Manager who has worked closely with complex private businesses and wants to move in-house.

Either way, Vanguard is looking for proven capability rather than potential alone. You will already understand the scale and complexity the business is growing into, but may not have the opportunity in your current organisation to own the whole finance picture. Here, you will — with direct exposure to leadership and a credible future pathway toward CFO.

The Details
This is a full-time, permanent position based at Vanguard’s head office in Lower Hutt. The role is primarily office-based, with flexibility to work from home when needed. Flexible start times and birthday leave are included.

To apply, or for a confidential discussion, contact Ben Kershaw at Moxie: [email protected]