Finance Director (Shared Services)

Job Summary

The Finance Director (Shared Services) is responsible for leading and managing the organization's shared services finance function, ensuring efficient, standardized, and compliant financial operations across multiple business entities and regions. This role oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, treasury, taxation, budgeting, internal controls, compliance, and process improvement while supporting the company's strategic growth objectives.

The successful candidate will play a key leadership role in driving finance transformation initiatives, implementing best practices, strengthening governance, and delivering high-quality financial services to internal stakeholders. The role requires close collaboration with senior management, regional finance teams, external auditors, regulatory authorities, and business partners.

Candidates with prior experience working in or with China-headquartered companies or multinational organizations with operations in China are strongly preferred due to the need to support cross-border financial reporting, regional coordination, and communication with China-based stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute the financial strategy aligned with the organization's business objectives.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior management and support business expansion initiatives.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-term business planning processes.
• Monitor financial performance, identify business risks, and recommend corrective actions.
• Drive profitability improvement and optimize working capital management.

Shared Services Management

• Lead the Finance Shared Services Centre (SSC) supporting multiple business entities across different countries.
• Standardize accounting processes, financial controls, and reporting procedures across the group.
• Establish and monitor service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Continuously improve operational efficiency through automation, digitization, and process optimization.
• Manage finance service delivery, ensuring timely and accurate processing of financial transactions.

Financial Reporting & Accounting

• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing activities.
• Ensure timely preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS/MFRS and applicable statutory requirements.
• Review management reports, financial analyses, and business performance dashboards.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data across all reporting entities.
• Coordinate year-end statutory audits and financial statement preparation.

Treasury & Cash Flow Management

• Oversee treasury operations, banking relationships, and cash flow forecasting.
• Optimize cash management and funding requirements across the group.
• Manage foreign exchange exposure and financing activities where applicable.

Taxation & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all local statutory, tax, corporate, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee corporate income tax, indirect tax, withholding tax, transfer pricing, and other statutory filings.
• Liaise with external tax advisors, auditors, company secretaries, and regulatory authorities.
• Monitor changes in financial regulations and ensure timely implementation.

Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain a strong internal control environment.
• Review financial policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Lead risk assessments and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• Ensure compliance with internal audit recommendations.

Business Partnering

• Support commercial and operational teams with financial analysis and decision-making.
• Evaluate investment opportunities, mergers and acquisitions, and capital expenditure proposals.
• Prepare financial models and business cases for strategic initiatives.
• Provide insights into cost optimization and operational efficiency.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the finance shared services team.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement.
• Manage workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development.
• Promote collaboration across regional finance teams and business units.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead ERP implementation, finance system upgrades, and digital transformation projects.
• Improve reporting capabilities through business intelligence tools and data analytics.
• Implement best practices in finance operations and shared services management.

Regional & China Business Support

• Collaborate closely with finance teams and senior management in China and other regional offices.
• Coordinate regional financial reporting and consolidation requirements.
• Support cross-border transactions, intercompany reconciliations, and transfer pricing matters.
• Understand China business culture and maintain effective communication with China-based stakeholders.
• Assist in implementing regional finance policies and group reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification such as ACCA, CPA, CA, CIMA, or equivalent.
• MBA or Master's Degree is an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive finance and accounting experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior finance leadership role.
• Proven experience managing Finance Shared Services or Regional Finance Operations.
• Experience in multinational corporations or regional shared service centres is highly preferred.
• Strong experience in financial reporting, consolidation, treasury, taxation, budgeting, and internal controls.
• Experience leading ERP implementation or finance transformation projects.
• Experience working with China-headquartered companies, Chinese multinational corporations, or organizations with significant operations in China is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing cross-border finance teams and regional stakeholders is an advantage.

Preferred Candidate Profile

• Strong leadership experience within multinational or regional organizations.
• Experience supporting shared services operations across multiple countries.
• Familiarity with China business practices and regulatory environments.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic, and matrix reporting environment.
• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational change, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.