Assistant Director (Finance & Planning)

Job Responsibilities

Finance - Accounts Payable, Staff Claims and Fixed Assets

Responsible for ensuring timely and accurate payments are made to vendors and staff.

• Oversee financial operations relating to Accounts Payable, General Ledger, Fixed Assets, staff claims and month-end closing activities to ensure operational effectiveness and compliance with financial policies and procedures

• Review and approve selected high-value, complex or sensitive financial transactions, after payment proposals have been verified by Asst Managers/Executives

• Provide guidance on operational finance matters where required

• Support timely financial closing, reconciliations and preparation of management and statutory reporting requirements

• Review operational workflows and internal controls to enhance efficiency, accuracy and governance standards

• Provide oversight, guidance and support to Finance staff on operational and reporting matters

Finance - General Ledger, Financial Closing & Statutory Reporting

Responsible for ensuring that timely financial records are maintained and disseminated to internal and external stakeholders.

• Oversee monthly financial closing activities and review financial reporting submissions to NTU, Management and other stakeholders to ensure accuracy, completeness and timeliness

• Support the presentation and analysis of quarterly and annual financial results to Management, Audit Committee and the Board where required

• Review yearly financial reporting and audited financial statements for Audit Committee and Board approval, and coordinate with internal and external auditors on audit-related matters

• Oversee statutory reporting and regulatory submissions, including GST reporting, annual statutory accounts, Charity Portal filings and Department of Statistics returns, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements and timelines

• Provide operational oversight and support for General Ledger and reporting functions, including involvement in hands-on financial operations and review work where required in a lean operating environment

• Review and strengthen financial reporting processes, controls and workflows to enhance operational effectiveness, governance and audit readiness

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Sustainability

Responsible for ensuring the prudent use of NIEC's financial resources to support overall financial sustainability.

• Lead annual budgeting and forecast exercises, including consolidation, analysis and review of submissions from divisions and campuses

• Support financial sustainability planning through analysis of budget utilisation trends, projections and cost drivers

• Prepare and present financial analysis, variance reports and budget recommendations to Management and ExCo

• Lead costing reviews and analysis for CPD courses, programmes, projects and other strategic initiatives to support financial sustainability and management decision-making

• Support the Director in reviewing NIEC's cost structures and financial trends, and provide recommendations to enhance operational efficiency, resource optimisation and long-term sustainability

Financial Governance

Responsible for ensuring that the AC is able to perform its fiduciary duties guided by its Terms of Reference, and financial policies and processes are effective and comply with statutory requirements to support NIEC's business.

• Support the Director in matters relating to the Audit Committee (AC), including coordination of meetings, papers, audit matters and follow-up actions

• Coordinate with auditors and internal stakeholders on internal and external audit matters and tracking of remediation actions

• Review and strengthen finance SOPs, controls and governance processes to support operational effectiveness and compliance requirements

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives relating to finance governance, reporting and operational workflows

Any other assignments

• Lead or support Finance-related projects and transformation initiatives, including system enhancements, process improvements and implementation of new workflows

• Support the Director in finance-related planning, reporting and institutional initiatives

• Progressively support procurement governance matters relating to policy alignment, stewardship and review of selected procurement matters where required

• Undertake any other duties assigned by the Director, Finance & Procurement or Senior Management

Job Requirements

. Degree in Accountancy, Finance or related discipline with at least 8-10 years of relevant experience in finance, accounting or audit functions

. Experience in financial operations, budgeting, reporting and governance functions

. Prior experience in a supervisory, reviewer or operational leadership capacity would be advantageous

. Experience in the public sector, Institutes of Higher Learning or publicly funded organisations would be an advantage

. Good understanding and experience in key Finance functions including financial reporting, Accounts Payable, General Ledger, budgeting, forecasting, audits and internal controls

. Good knowledge of accounting standards and financial governance requirements

. Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills

. Ability to balance operational involvement with strategic and governance responsibilities

. Ability to review, streamline and improve financial processes and workflows

. Meticulous, detail-oriented and hands-on when required

. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders across different levels

. Able to work independently and exercise sound judgment in a dynamic operating environment

. Strong ethics, professional integrity and sense of accountability

. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint

• Experience with Accounting/Enterprise Resource Planning systems (e.g. SAP) would be advantageous

Perks & Benefits:

• Flexible Hybrid Work Arrangement

• Learning & Professional Development

• Comprehensive Benefits Package such as attractive leaves schemes, flexible benefits, dental coverage etc.

Note: All new hires will be offered a two-year contract in the first instance. Contract renewal and emplacement on permanent appointment will be subject to continuous good performance.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.