Financial Controller

About Workride and the Role

Workride is committed to encouraging every New Zealander to use bikes as a healthier, cheaper, and sustainable way to commute. The company supports nearly 2,000 employers, reaching more than 150,000 employees, by providing bikes and e-bikes as a pre-tax employee benefit that offers savings of 32% to 63%. As the business expands rapidly, it requires a Financial Controller based in Christchurch CBD to manage all finance operations that support this growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the entire finance function including month-end closing, control processes, and management reporting.
• Manage treasury operations, float, and finance aspects of banking and insurance partnerships, including covenant reporting, insurer reporting, claims processing, and eligibility verification.
• Work hands-on with manual tasks such as reconciliations, claims, and reporting packs while collaborating with engineering teams to automate workflows and controls.
• Coordinate with external accountants for annual accounts and audit preparations in accordance with NZ GAAP standards.
• Maintain and update the foundational financial model quarterly, supporting the founders and shareholders.
• Ensure tax compliance involving PAYE, GST, income tax, and short form rulings through cooperation with tax advisors.
• Handle detailed funding and insurance reporting, including consistent and timely covenant reporting and claims management.
• Supervise cash management adhering to minimum cash policies and oversee the allocation of treasury as the program grows.
• Manage edge cases like early termination of agreements, asset disposals, equipment sales, fleet registers, and amortization schedules, balancing operational and tax perspectives.
• Drive receivables performance through arrears management, dunning, termination processes, and write-offs with clear procedures and escalation paths.
• Define and influence technical accounting practices aligning platform data flows with ledger entries and finance needs for new product launches.
• Oversee the outsourced finance operations provider, enhancing control reviews and promoting automation for transaction volume efficiency.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Professional accounting qualification such as CA (CAANZ), CPA, ACCA, or ICAEW.
• Over 5 years of post-qualification experience in financial control or senior accounting roles, particularly in lending, asset finance, leasing, or financial services.
• Familiarity with funder or lender reporting, including facilities, covenants, portfolio data, and audit processes.
• Strong background in fixed asset accounting covering registers, depreciation, amortisation, disposals, and differentiating book and tax values.
• Track record of designing and implementing financial controls, close processes, or reporting frameworks from scratch.
• Proficiency with Xero, advanced Excel skills and financial modelling expertise, and comfort working with operational platforms and engineers.
• Ability to work autonomously with a proactive, hands-on approach in a startup environment.
• Discretion in handling sensitive funder, insurer, and shareholder information.
• Based in Christchurch with full legal work rights in New Zealand.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience with consumer credit regulations (CCCFA), securitisation, or warehouse financing.
• Background in Big 4 or second-tier audit firms.
• Experience as the sole finance person in small to medium enterprises or startups.
• Familiarity with AI tools like Claude to enhance work quality and speed.
• Genuine interest in cycling, sustainability, health, or workplace wellness.

Success Criteria for the First Year

• Established comprehensive internal finance processes aligned with product launches.
• Full ownership of the finance function, confidently managing it solo.
• Consistent month-end closing with formal review controls and documentation.
• On-time and accurate reporting to banks and insurers without founder involvement.
• Payment controls formalised to standards suitable for auditors or funders.
• Clearly specified automation requirements incorporated into the product roadmap with initial implementations underway.

Perks and Culture

• Complete ownership over finance functions including exposure to funding, insurance, and treasury tasks uncommon for controllers.
• Opportunity for career progression to Head of Finance as the company grows.
• Use of modern technology tools including Xero, HubSpot, company platform, and AI technologies like Claude.
• Supportive, high-performing team with a strong focus on work-life balance.
• Exclusive access to the Workride employee bike benefit scheme for your dream bike or e-bike.

Recruitment Process

• Initial informal conversation with a company founder to assess fit.
• A brief practical assignment with founders to evaluate your thought process and approach.
• Direct feedback or offer of employment communicated by one of the Co-founders.