Why Arup?

Arup is a unique organisation that is owned and run by its employees, which means that our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a people-centric organisation, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone can thrive and achieve their full potential. Our employees are empowered to make decisions and take ownership of their work, which fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. At Arup, we value diversity and strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. As a result, we are able to attract and retain some of the brightest and most talented professionals in the industry.

Primary focus

An exciting internal opportunity is available to become the ANZ Team Leader for Financial Accounting, reporting to the Regional Head of External Reporting and Financial Accounting (Asia Pacific). This role provides technical leadership across Australia and New Zealand and plays a key role within the Global Finance Function.

Technical

• Planning and coordinating the preparation of financial statements, compliance, and audits for multiple entities based in Australia and New Zealand.
• Assisting with Capital Framework reviews.
• Policy management, including drafting and communication of relevant local and global accounting matters.
• Manage the operational activities associated with these responsibilities, ensuring aligned, accurate, and insightful reporting and accounting practices that support internal stakeholders and external requirements.
• Working in close collaboration with finance functional areas across the region and the Global Financial Accounting Team, you will ensure the timely provision of clear and accurate information, underpinned by the principle of “one version of the truth.”
• Responsible for the effective day-to-day operation of your areas of responsibility, including: maintaining an appropriate control environment and ensuring compliance, providing accurate and timely data to other finance teams, and working with Shared Service Centres where required
• Act as the primary point of contact with the External Audit team, including negotiation of fees, monitoring overruns, and ensuring audits are completed in a timely manner.
• Drive the documentation and maintenance of best-practice processes and procedures.
• Be responsible for the production and analysis of cash flow and balance sheet information, including key movements and variances.
• Apply a strategic perspective, understanding the broader impacts and dependencies of finance-led business decisions.

People Leadership

• The role has ultimate responsibility for the Financial Accounting team in Australia. You will coordinate, motivate, and inspire the team by:

  - Setting clear and measurable objectives

  - Conducting regular 1-2-1s.

  - Identifying development opportunities and supporting career progression where appropriate.

  - Embedding Arup’s behaviours and values within the team.

  - Provide guidance and support to the Senior Accountant, who is responsible for the development and appraisal of some junior team members.

Governance and Compliance

Responsible for ensuring effective control frameworks are embedded within processes, with risks identified and addressed in line with guidance from the Group Director of Finance Operations, Procurement and Control. This includes driving and maintaining the documentation of end-to-end process flows for your areas of responsibility.

Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an important component of the role. You will work closely with the Regional Head of External Reporting and Financial Accounting (Asia Pacific) to identify opportunities to enhance processes through improved efficiency, automation, and strengthened controls.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

The role requires effective and timely communication across central teams and the region, engaging with stakeholders at all levels of seniority. Strong stakeholder management and customer service principles are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships across the Global Finance function and with external service providers, including auditors.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Accountable to the Regional Head of External Reporting and Financial Accounting (Asia Pacific) to deliver scheduled activities, including: Interim and year-end internal and external reporting.
• Audit planning, including work plans, timelines, and coordination.
• Oversight of the systematic process and schedule for the annual WIP process.
• Review of work completed by team members.
• Coordinating the External Audit relationship and reporting requirements.
• Preparing Board papers and memorandums.
• Ensuring end-to-end processes and controls are documented and maintained.
• Recommending and implementing process improvements and internal controls.
• Promoting and maintaining a strong internal control environment.
• Identifying development needs and supporting training plans for team members.
• Challenging existing ways of working and encouraging innovation.
• Developing strong, trust-based relationships across Regional Finance, Global Tax, and Company Secretariat teams.
• Delivering outcomes to deadlines, including during peak reporting periods.
• Engage with Arup Treasury on local banking and bank guarantee requirements.
• Approve Business Activity Statement calculations, payments, and tax returns for joint arrangements.
• Review R&D scoping submissions and assess returns.
• Provide ad hoc bid support in collaboration with other finance teams.
• Manage the corporate insurance process where required.

• Engage with external tax advisors and support ATO audits where required.

Key relationships include:

• Regional Head of External Reporting and Financial Accounting (Asia Pacific).
• Financial Accounting leaders across the Asia Pacific region.
• Geography Leadership.
• Head of Finance (ANZ).
• Finance Leadership Team.
• Shared Services Centre.
• Global Tax.
• Company Secretariat.
• Treasury.
• External Auditors.
• Third-party service providers.
• Business Assurance and Risk.

• Corporate Services Leads (e.g. People Teams).

Professional Qualifications and Skills

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent).
• Technical experience in end-to-end external reporting, finance, and statutory accounting environments.
• Knowledge of finance systems supporting reporting and accounting processes.
• Knowledge of Australian and New Zealand tax requirements desirable.
• Demonstrated people leadership capability.
• Ability to listen, demonstrate empathy, and remain calm under pressure.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Effective stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in an agile and collaborative manner within a complex and changing environment.
• Advanced MS Office skills, particularly Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of JDE and other SaaS applications is advantageous but not essential.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience setting short-, medium-, and long-term plans.
• Working with multiple complex systems and data flows.
• Stakeholder management, including Board members and external auditors.
• Leading, motivating, and developing team members.
• Delivering continuous improvement initiatives within finance processes.
• Encouraging innovative thinking and collaboration.
• Familiarity with risk and issue management processes.

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair, and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling eligible members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies - We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.