Senior Tax Advisor | Christchurch
Ashton Wheelans is a progressive accounting and advisory firm with more than 60 years in business and teams across Christchurch, Rangiora, the West Coast, Oamaru and Wānaka. We support a diverse client base across a wide range of industries, combining strong technical expertise with practical advice and genuine client relationships.
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Tax Advisor to join our Christchurch team in a full-time role.
This is an opportunity for an experienced tax professional to take ownership of our specialist tax function, working directly with clients and alongside our Partners and accounting teams. You’ll have the autonomy to manage complex tax matters and client relationships while being part of a collaborative wider practice.
About the role
As Senior Tax Advisor, you’ll be a key source of tax expertise across Ashton Wheelans, providing specialist advice to clients and supporting our Partners and accounting teams on complex tax matters.
You’ll manage your own workload and client relationships and have the autonomy expected of an experienced specialist.
Your responsibilities will include:
Providing specialist tax advice across a broad range of client matters
Managing tax assignments from initial advice through to completion
Managing relationships with existing tax clients and providing continuity of service
Working directly with clients to understand their circumstances and provide clear, practical tax advice
Supporting Partners and accounting teams with complex or technical tax matters
Researching and interpreting tax legislation, case law and Inland Revenue guidance
Advising on business structures, transactions and restructures from a tax perspective
Assisting with Inland Revenue enquiries, reviews and disputes where appropriate
Preparing and reviewing technical tax advice and correspondence
Identifying tax risks and opportunities for clients
Maintaining awareness of legislative and regulatory developments and their implications for clients
Sharing technical tax knowledge and relevant developments across the wider Ashton Wheelans team
Contributing to the ongoing development of our internal tax capability, processes and resources
Collaborating with Partners and colleagues while retaining ownership of specialist tax matters
About you
You’ll be an experienced tax professional with the technical depth and professional judgement to operate with a high degree of autonomy.
You’re comfortable being the person others turn to for specialist tax advice, but you also enjoy working collaboratively with Partners, accountants and clients to find practical solutions.
Ideally, you will bring:
Significant specialist experience in New Zealand taxation
Strong technical knowledge of New Zealand tax legislation and practice
Experience advising on complex tax matters across a range of clients and industries
The ability to independently research, analyse and form a position on technical tax issues
Experience managing client relationships and specialist tax assignments
Strong written skills and the ability to prepare clear, well-reasoned technical advice
The confidence to communicate complex tax issues in a practical and understandable way
Sound professional judgement and strong analytical skills
Excellent organisation and the ability to manage your own workload and priorities
A proactive, pragmatic approach to solving client problems
Strong relationship and communication skills
A collaborative approach and willingness to share your expertise with the wider team
A CA qualification or other relevant professional qualification would be highly regarded.
Why Ashton Wheelans?
This is an opportunity to take a genuine specialist role within the firm, rather than being one tax-focused accountant within a large tax team.
You’ll have the autonomy to manage specialist tax work and client relationships while having access to Partners and experienced accounting and advisory teams from across the wider practice. The role has been designed to bring specialist tax capability in-house and provide continuity for Ashton Wheelans' existing tax client base.
We’re proud to be Great Place to Work® Certified. Our people particularly value supportive and approachable colleagues, flexibility and autonomy, strong local team relationships, and a culture that is open to new ideas and innovation.
For an experienced tax professional who wants the freedom to use their expertise, build strong client relationships and influence how specialist tax services are delivered across the firm, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Get in touch
If you’re an experienced tax specialist looking for a role that gives you autonomy, meaningful client work and the opportunity to be a trusted technical resource across a wider practice, we’d like to hear from you. Contact our General Manager, Aimie Skelton (aimie.skelton@ashtonwheelans.co.nz) to arrange a confidential chat, or apply below.
Applicants must already have the legal right to work in New Zealand.