The Accounting Supervisor (APAC) will lead and execute the monthly close and international accounting operations across multiple countries, ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with IFRS/local GAAP, and proper accounting for foreign currency (FX) activity in the APAC region. This role is based in Singapore and requires professional fluency in English. The position will directly supervise an International Accountant based in Malaysia, providing day-to-day oversight, review, coaching, and quality control of deliverables.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead the international month-end close process, ensuring timely completion across assigned entities.
- Prepare and/or review core close activities including balance sheet reconciliations (control accounts, tax accounts, intercompany), bank reconciliations, prepayments and amortization, accruals and expense allocations, payroll entries in coordination with HR and in-country providers
- Review journal entries and supporting schedules prepared by the Malaysia-based Accountant; ensure proper documentation and adherence to close controls.
- Prepare, review, and analyze in-country financial statements and management reporting packages for assigned entities.
- Ensure consistency of accounting treatment across jurisdictions, including standardization of templates, support files, and close checklists.
- Partner with corporate accounting on consolidation inputs and reporting requirements; ensure data quality, timeliness, and audit-ready support.
- Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards (IFRS and applicable local GAAP), company accounting policies, and internal control requirements.
- Coordinate compliance activities with in-country accounting firms and advisors, including VAT/GST returns: review, approve, and reconcile filings, corporate income tax (CIT) returns: review, approve, and reconcile filings, withholding tax obligations and transfer pricing support coordination
- Maintain an updated understanding of relevant global tax concepts impacting operations (VAT/GST, WHT, transfer pricing, treaty considerations) and escalate issues/risks promptly.
- Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards (IFRS and applicable local GAAP), company accounting policies, and internal control requirements.
- Review and approve annual statutory accounts prepared by international in-country accounting firms.
- Coordinate audits and respond to inquiries from external auditors, regulatory authorities, and internal stakeholders.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation and ensure reconciliation quality and support completeness.
- Provide direct supervision and review of the Malaysia-based International Accountant's work.
- Work together with corporate accounting group to establish and enforce quality controls to ensure consistency, accuracy, and timeliness across deliverables.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of international accounting operations, month-end close, and balance sheet reconciliation discipline
- Proficiency in foreign currency accounting and cross-currency reporting/translation concepts
- In-depth understanding of IFRS and ability to interpret local GAAP differences as applicable.
- Working knowledge of international tax compliance topics (VAT/GST, withholding tax, CIT, transfer pricing coordination).
- Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail and documentation quality.
- Ability to manage competing deadlines, work independently, and drive deliverables to completion.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across cultures and time zones.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, review, and develop staff in a remote/overseas reporting relationship.
- Advanced Excel proficiency; strong comfort with accounting system and financial reporting tools.
Experience/Education
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. CPA, ACCA, or similar professional qualification preferred.
- Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in accounting, with at least 3 years focused on international or global operations.
- Accounting experience in multiple countries with experience in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Australia and Thailand being preferred.
- Resourceful, meticulous, good team player with a positive mindset and able to work under tight timelines and fast-paced environment.
- Possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.
