Senior Manager, Accounting and Finance

Location: Auckland
Job Type: Permanent
Industry: Accounting | Financial Managers & Controllers
Reference: BH-2692
Job Published: July 26, 2024
About the Company
 
Matson South Pacific (“MSP”) is a New Zealand based company and wholly owned subsidiary of its U.S. based parent company, Matson, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“Matson”). Matson is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange trading under the symbol MATX. Founded in 1882, Matson is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services throughout the Pacific, providing a vital lifeline to the economies of Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Micronesia and the South Pacific and premium, expedited services from China to Southern California. Additional information about Matson is available at www.matson.com
 
MSP, headquartered in Auckland, provides ocean shipping services across the South Pacific, with comprehensive sailing schedules between New Zealand and Australia to Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Nauru. MSP provides a full range of vital shipping services including Full Container Load, refrigerated and frozen cargo, Less than Container Load, breakbulk and project cargo such as timber and steel, machinery, vehicles and boats, and also distributes and sells domestic bulk fuels to a number of South Pacific islands.
 
About the Role
 
The role is responsible for management and oversight of all financial and accounting functions within MSP’s local office in Auckland, ensuring compliance with corporate financial policies and procedures, and local tax and legislative requirements. Responsibilities include management of all accounting functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, operational accounting, cash management and month-end close responsibilities. The position is also responsible for liaising with local operational departments, Pacific based agents and U.S. based management and operations.
 
Core responsibilities include:
 
  • Responsible for all financial and accounting responsibilities including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, general ledger maintenance and operational accounting
  • Monitor accounts receivable aging and work closely with both internal teams and external parties to ensure timely collection including resolution of any invoice disputes and payment delays
  • Ownership of accounting month-end close process including accruals, variance analysis, reconciliations and reporting
  • Providing local and U.S. based management with sound financial advice and support to enable effective business decision making
  • Proactive involvement in supporting local sales team and business operations, including customer credit management, vendor and other payment approvals
  • Ensuring compliance with local tax and regulatory requirements such as payroll and corporation tax
  • Oversight of internal controls, external audits and local statutory filing requirements
  • Develop and maintain statements of procedure for finance-related business and system processes
  • Preparation and review of local budget and forecast, and assistance with strategic company planning
  • Managing all local and foreign currency financial transactions including monitoring of banking and cashflow management
  • Leadership of the local finance team, developing and mentoring the team
  • Oversight and management of local IT systems and IT vendor support
  • Other ad hoc projects as required
 
Qualifications and Experience
 
  • At least 7 years of finance and accounting experience, with accounting specific qualifications (such as 4-year university degree with a focus on accounting), CA or CPA a plus
  • Strong knowledge of NZ accounting standards and internal controls and an in-depth understanding of financial and accounting processes and procedures, and inter-departmental functions
  • High-level of professionalism with excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
  • Self-motivated, proactive, quick learner with a desire to improve processes and increase efficiencies
  • Ability to manage a team, work effectively and independently in a fast-moving environment
  • Highly detail oriented with a critical degree of accuracy regarding data entry, analysis and documentation
  • Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple tasks simultaneously while adhering to deadlines
  • Strong computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook), ERP systems and payroll
  • Ability to travel internationally around Pacific and to the United States as required
 
About You
 
You will bring strong inter-personal skills, leadership experience and qualities, and will be someone who can confidently manage the day to day financial and accounting functions of the Auckland branch, while contributing to the overall growth and success of the company. You will enjoy working in a fast paced environment and can handle a high workload and competing priorities, deadlines and projects.
 
You will be able to work with, advise and collaborate with external parties including U.S. based management and leadership, Pacific agencies, suppliers and a wide variety of stakeholders. Ideally you will have exposure to or experience working in multi-currency environments and have some understanding of U.S. accounting and reporting requirements for publicly listed companies.
 
While shipping industry experience or exposure is a plus, if you believe you have the required financial, accounting and leadership experience, we are interested in talking to you.
 
Matson offers an attractive and competitive compensation package including salary and other benefits, in a stable and progressive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, colour, religion, national origin or on the basis of disability.
 
How to apply? 
 
The first step is to apply online via this job ad. If possible, please submit your CV in Microsoft Word.
 
Alternatively, you can call Chris at Team Recruitment on 0212264306.