Financial Controller

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The Role / Position Overview

The successful candidate will prepare and monitor the FTEP Philippines entity’s operating plan, forecasts and associated reporting including capital expenditure. The individual will prepare the FTEP Philippines’ annual statutory accounts under IFRS and other local compliance returns including tax. The role requires to be highly adept with various accounting functions e.g., pensions, payroll, staff benefits. The position will also require preparation of cash flow forecasts including exposure to foreign currencies and will provide local support to UK based managers in relation to their finance team leaders based in Manila.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting

• Manage the overall accounting & financial activities of the FTEP Philippines legal entity
• Ensure adherence to group policies and internal control requirements; design, develop, enhance and implement effective accounting and management control procedures in safeguarding FTEP Philippines’ company assets and other internal accounting and operation management controls
• Liaise with external auditors for timely completion of statutory audits of the FTEP Philippines entity
• Support internal audit and make sure all findings are promptly and properly resolved
• Ensure all local compliance and statutory reports are submitted on time. Assists in monitoring the FTEP Philippines operation in relation to global compliance (for example, IFRS, Sarbanes-Oxley)
• Review processes and procedures and constantly challenge the status quo for improvement
• Prepare FTEP Philippines monthly, quarterly and year-end reports to PEZA,BOI and SEC
• Coach and develop the local FTEP Philippines finance team
• Performs other duties that may be assigned from time to time
• Support financial control and reporting work for newly set up or acquired Asia legal establishments (subsidiaries, joint ventures, branches, rep offices)

Tax, Legal and Other

• Responsible for profits tax filing and all other tax compliance of FTEP Philippines entity
• Ensure adherence to transfer pricing policies and works with the FT tax team in London to ensure issues are resolved quickly. Provide regular status updates on issues to key stakeholders and management
• Review and approve monthly payment of government statutory benefits and withholding taxes on compensation and at source
• Monitor yearly renewal of company business permits and other mandated compliances
• Liaise on legal matters of the company in terms of security, investments, registrations, pensions, agreements with bankers, in collaboration with FTEP Philippines’ legal partners and FT UK stakeholders
• Handle relationship management of local external auditors, bankers and company secretarial service
• Support and implement group tax, IT, and other initiatives

Business Support

• Prepare the FTEP Philippines monthly, quarterly and year end reports for submission to Management, showing actual expenditure and providing explanation of variances against budgets
• Prepare the FTEP Philippines annual budget and quarterly reforecasts including exposure to foreign currencies for loading to Hyperion Essbase. Supports Manila based senior managers in their contributions to and their understanding of the annual operating plan process
• Be an active member of the FTEP Philippines senior management team. Regularly collaborate with Manila based FT Accounting Services senior management peers with a view to encouraging a “One Finance” culture
• Play a key role in local strategic initiatives as and when required; for example, changes to retirement or other employee benefits, office relocation planning and implementation.
• Support UK finance managers in relation to finance team leaders who are based in the Manila operation
• Regularly communicates concerns and issues to local & UK management and other overseas stakeholders
• Develop and maintain cost cutting scheme for Manila operations; manages accounting methods and techniques to maximize company resources and facilities; reviews capital expenditure reports and monitoring of costs against budget

Human Resources and Office Administration

• Review management and staff payroll and facilitate funds transfer to bankers
• Support payroll system implementation
• Support the FT Global Mobility team as required on expatriate matters
• Support crisis management and business contingency plan
• Lead and support Travel Management Company and Corporate Credit Card program of FTEP Philippines entity

Qualifications / Competencies / Skills / Experience

• Professional License (Passed Board / Professional License Exam)
• Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance / Accountancy / Banking or equivalent is preferable
• Solid work experience in receivables/payables management and bank transactions (local and overseas) for a multinational company
• Must have a work experience in budgeting
• Must have a work experience in Philippines statutory accounts and tax compliance
• Candidate must have a customer focused and result oriented attitude
• Candidate must be a team player and has quality driven behaviour towards work
• Experience in Change Management, Conflict Management, Performance Management, and Strategic Planning
• Adept with various accounting functions e.g. pensions, payroll, staff benefits, taxation, Labor Code.
• Well-versed in MS Office applications, specifically intermediate Excel
• Excellent Oral and Written English Skills and Interpersonal Skills
• Willing and able to work on variable shift schedule as required
• Preferably, Finance Managers/Senior Department Managers specializing in Finance - General/Cost Accounting or equivalent
• Preferably, Hyperion Essbase end user experience

What’s in it for you? Our Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

Further Information

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We have implemented a hybrid working model and we also promote flexible working and will consider specific requests around flexibility for all roles where it can be accommodated. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, please send an email to talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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