Confidential Search: Regional Financial Controller | APAC
Are you a seasoned financial leader ready to command the regional finance function of a premier global industrial organization This is a high-caliber opportunity for a strategic controller who operates at a CFO level of influence.
We are partnering with a world-leading manufacturing company on a confidential search for a Regional Financial Controller, APAC. This pivotal role is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, offering a central hub to steer financial performance across the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.
Our client is an industry titan with a formidable reputation for quality and innovation. This newly emphasized position is critical for safeguarding financial integrity, driving operational excellence, and supporting strategic growth initiatives.
Why This Role is Distinctive:
- End-to-End Regional Leadership: You will have full accountability for the controllership function across multiple APAC entities, leading a sizeable team.
- Strategic Business Partnership: Move beyond traditional accounting. Serve as the key financial authority to the regional President and VP of Finance, influencing decisions on profitability, investments, and market strategy.
- Architect of Control & Compliance: Be the cornerstone of financial integrity. You will ensure flawless reporting, robust internal controls, and strict adherence to US GAAP, local statutory, and complex tax requirements across diverse jurisdictions.
- Champion of Transformation: Lead the evolution of the finance function through process automation, system optimization (SAP), and the development of a best-in-class finance team.
Your Core Mandate:
- Provide comprehensive financial leadership and oversight for all APAC operations, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of all management and statutory reporting.
- Act as the regional authority on financial compliance, directing all audit activities (internal and external), tax filings, and statutory account preparations.
- Implement and monitor rigorous internal controls to protect company assets, overseeing capital asset management, inventory integrity, and credit control.
- Manage critical banking, treasury, and intercompany relationships, including cash management, netting arrangements, and transfer pricing.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a large, distributed finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Collaborate closely with FP&A and operational leaders to drive budgeting, forecasting, and insightful business performance analysis.
The Ideal Profile:
- A professionally qualified accountant (CPA, CA, ACCA, or equivalent).
- 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including a minimum of 8 years in a senior leadership role within a complex, multinational corporation.
- Proven background in manufacturing or a capital-intensive industrial sector is essential.
- Extensive technical expertise in US GAAP, financial controls, regional tax compliance, and audit management.
- Demonstrated experience in managing large teams and developing finance talent across a region.
- Strong proficiency with major ERP systems (SAP experience is highly advantageous).
- Business fluency in both English and Chinese (Mandarin) is mandatory to effectively manage stakeholders across the region.
- A strategic, analytical, and results-driven leader with exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ready to Make a Regional Impact
This search is conducted with strict confidentiality. If you are a strategic financial controller seeking a role with significant scope, influence, and the challenge of leading a complex region, we encourage you to apply.
To express your interest, please submit your application via LinkedIn. All inquiries will be handled with the utmost discretion.
