FINANCIAL CONTROLLER – JAPAN

ROLE PURPOSE

The Financial Controller – Japan is responsible for the financial control environment, statutory compliance and financial integrity of the Japan entities, including our joint venture company. Working closely with Business Unit leadership, the APAC Regional Finance team, our JV partner, GDC, and Tax and Treasury teams, the role provides technical accounting leadership, ensures compliance with Local GAAP and ERM policies, delivers high-quality financial reporting, and drives process consistency, capability development and, as required, finance transformation across these countries.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Financial Reporting & Close

• Lead the financial close process, working with Finance Project Partners and the Global Delivery Centre (GDC) as required, to deliver timely, accurate and complete monthly, quarterly and year-end financial reporting in compliance with Group reporting policies and requirements.

Financial Control, Statutory Accounting & Compliance

• Maintain the integrity of the entity P&L, balance sheet and financial records through a robust control environment and compliance with Group policies and internal controls.
• Oversee Local GAAP accounting, statutory financial statement preparation and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Provide technical accounting leadership and oversight of accounting judgements, financial adjustments and balance sheet reconciliations performed by the GDC.
• Monitor and communicate balance sheet risks, exposures and opportunities to Business Unit and Regional Finance controller leadership.
• Apply appropriate governance processes to ensuring the integrity of the JV operations and reporting to the JV partner.

Tax, Treasury & Audit

• Lead statutory, tax and Group audits, acting as the primary finance contact for auditors, tax authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Partner with Tax the team to ensure compliance with local tax, indirect tax and regulatory obligations.
• Work with the Treasury to manage the local treasury requirements.
• Escalate significant accounting, tax or compliance matters as appropriate

Business Partnering

• Partner with the Business Unit Finance Director, BU Financial Controller, and Country Managing Partners, to support business performance, growth and risk management.
• Coordinate closely with Finance Project Partners and business leaders to ensure alignment between project performance and corporate financial reporting.

• Working with the assigned FPP, provide local support to the PM and PIC with project finance business partnering, particularly for local language or other requirements, as required.
• Provide proactive financial analysis, management reporting and insights to support strategic and operational decision-making as required.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting and planning processes as required.

Finance Transformation & Change

• Champion finance transformation initiatives, including system implementations, process improvements and operating model enhancements while maintaining strong governance and compliance outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Professional accounting qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum 10 years’ finance experience, including experience in a finance controller or finance manager role within a multinational organisation.
• Strong knowledge of Local GAAP, statutory reporting, taxation and regulatory compliance requirements in Japan.
• Fluent in Japanese
• Able to commute to either the Yokohama or Tokyo office.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred

• Experience operating within a shared services or Global Delivery Centre (GDC) environment.
• Experience within professional services or consulting organisations.
• Experience supporting finance transformation initiatives and system implementations.
• Experience operating within complex matrix organisations.

SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to communicate financial matters clearly and effectively to senior stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills to build effective relationships across local, BU, regional and global teams.
• High level of integrity, accountability and professional judgement.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance compliance and business objectives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• Proactive and adaptable, comfortable with change.