Finance Manager

Purpose of the role

The Management & Financial Accountant supports the VP Finance in the effective management, control and reporting of financial activities across the Group's APAC operations, supporting entities in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai.

The role provides day-to-day financial oversight across the regional entities and is responsible for accurate and timely financial reporting, management accounting, financial controls, statutory compliance, working capital management and operational finance support.

The position plays an important role in ensuring accurate and timely reporting, strong financial controls, consistent finance processes and commercially focused decision support across the region.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Finance Team Management & Regional Financial Oversight

• Provide day-to-day financial oversight across the Group’s entities in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai.

• Supervise, coach and develop direct reports within the finance function.

• Support the VP Finance in providing financial oversight across Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai.

• Ensure Group financial policies, accounting standards, internal controls and local regulatory requirements are followed.

• Provide guidance and support to the Finance Officer and transactional finance team as required.

• Liaise with the Group Shared Service Centre to resolve queries and ensure accurate and consistent ERP processing.

• Promote consistent finance processes, controls and reporting practices across regional entities.

2. Supporting Regional Management in Steering the Business

• Act as a finance business partner to regional management, providing financial insight to support operational and commercial decision-making.

• Analyse business performance, including revenue, margins, costs, working capital and operational KPIs, identifying risks and opportunities.

• Work with Site and Operations Managers to improve business processes and financial performance.

• Prepare and evaluate business cases and capital expenditure proposals for business expansion, new capabilities and replacement equipment.

• Support Site Managers and HR with recruitment and headcount proposals, including financial and budget impacts.

• Provide scenario modelling and financial analysis to support key business decisions, budgeting, forecasting and operational planning.

3. Financial & Management Reporting

• Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and cost reporting.

• Perform balance sheet reconciliations and investigate and resolve discrepancies.

• Prepare and review journals, accruals, prepayments and supporting calculations.

• Analyse general ledger balances, investigate unusual movements and ensure required corrections are processed.

• Ensure intercompany balances and transactions are appropriately recorded and reconciled.

• Support the VP Finance with periodic forecasting, annual budgeting and variance analysis.

• Prepare ad-hoc financial reporting and analysis to support management decision-making.

4. Operational Reporting

• Develop and maintain operational reporting covering areas such as purchasing, to-be-invoiced, inventory, sales, work-in-progress and turnaround time (TAT).

• Analyse financial and operational data to identify trends, anomalies, risks and improvement opportunities.

• Work with operational stakeholders to improve reporting accuracy and usefulness.

• Provide management with clear financial insights to support performance improvement initiatives.

5. Statutory Reporting, Tax & Audit

• Coordinate with external accountants, tax advisers, auditors and other professional advisers.

• Liaise with external accountants, tax advisers and auditors across relevant jurisdictions.

• Coordinate preparation and filing of BAS/GST, VAT and other applicable indirect tax returns.

• Support annual corporate tax returns and other statutory submissions.

• Coordinate the annual external audit and ensure requested information is provided accurately and on time.

• Maintain appropriate supporting records and documentation for statutory, audit and Group requirements.

6. General Accounting, Payroll & Working Capital

• Review general ledger and inventory transactions and process correcting journals where required.

• Oversee monthly payroll processing, preparing payroll reports, reconciliations and associated accounting entries.

• Liaise with suppliers, colleagues and the Shared Service Centre to resolve accounting and invoice queries.

• Review and approve non-PO invoices and payment proposals in accordance with delegated authorities.

• Prepare short-term cash flow forecasts and monitor working capital performance.

• Oversee foreign currency requirements and coordinate currency balances with the Shared Service Centre.

• Monitor accounts receivable and cash collection activity and coordinate escalation of overdue accounts where required.

7. ERP, Controls & Process Improvement

• Provide financial oversight of processes within the integrated ERP system.

• Work with business teams to resolve ERP and accounting process issues and maintain transaction accuracy.

• Review exception reporting and identify incorrect processes, control weaknesses and training requirements.

• Resolve historical accounting or ERP issues impacting the general ledger and balance sheet.

• Identify opportunities to standardise, automate and improve finance processes across the region.

• Support finance system, reporting and process improvement projects as required.

 Regional Scope & Key Relationships

This role supports a multi-entity, multi-jurisdictional finance environment across Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai.

Key relationships include:

• VP Finance;

• Regional, Site and Operations Managers;

• Finance Officer and transactional finance team;

• Group Finance and Shared Service Centre;

• HR, Sales, Purchasing and Production teams;

• External accountants, auditors and tax advisers; and

• Banking and professional service providers.

 Generic Competencies Required

• General standards & reliability

• Positivity & respect

• Knowledge and competency of the role

• Communication

• Organisation & efficiency

• Accuracy & attention to detail

• Flexibility & adaptability

• Integrity & commitment

• People management and leadership

• Commercial awareness

• Problem solving and analytical thinking

• Ability to collaborate across countries, cultures and functions

 Candidate Profile

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related discipline.

• CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional qualification, or working towards completion.

• Relevant experience in financial accounting, management accounting or a similar finance role.

• Strong experience with month-end accounting, including reconciliations, journals, accruals and prepayments.

• Experience preparing management accounts, financial reporting, budgets and forecasts.

• Strong Excel skills and experience working with integrated ERP systems.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy and control.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines across multiple entities and jurisdictions.

• Ability to work independently and effectively with stakeholders at different levels and locations.

Desirable

• Exposure to multiple currencies, intercompany accounting and regional statutory requirements.

• Knowledge of Australian GST/BAS and/or indirect tax requirements in Malaysia, Singapore or Dubai/UAE.

• Experience within aviation, aerospace, engineering, manufacturing or another operationally complex industry.

• Experience with inventory, work-in-progress and production accounting.

• Experience supervising or developing junior finance staff.

• Experience in finance process improvement and automation.