Client Profile
Our client is a European-headquartered multinational operating across manufacturing and industrial technology, with a regional footprint spanning Southeast Asia, and revenue in excess of billion globally. The Malaysia entity serves as a key regional hub, contributing approximately over USD 250 million in annual revenue with consistent double-digit YoY growth over the past three years. The business has maintained healthy EBITDA margins of 15-18%, backed by strong operational efficiency and a diversified customer base across automotive, electronics, and industrial sectors. The company is well-capitalized, debt-light, and continues to reinvest in regional expansion, including a recent capex programme to scale up local manufacturing capacity. Backed by stable global ownership and a track record of profitable growth, this is a financially sound, high-performing organisation offering strong career runway for senior finance talent.
Purpose of the Role
The Corporate Accounting Controller owns the integrity of the group's accounting records and financial reporting. This role leads the accounting function end-to-end from processing and month-end close through to statutory reporting and audit while building a strong internal control environment across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the month-end, quarter-end and year-end close process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness across all entities.
- Own preparation and review of consolidated financial statements in accordance with applicable accounting standards (MFRS/IFRS/US GAAP as relevant).
- Manage the general ledger, ensuring account reconciliations, journal entries and accruals are complete and properly supported.
- Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets and intercompany accounting functions.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, managing the annual statutory audit process from planning through to sign-off.
- Ensure compliance with local tax, statutory and regulatory reporting requirements, working closely with external tax agents where required.
- Design, implement and continuously strengthen internal controls and accounting policies across the finance function.
- Partner with FP&A and business unit leaders to support budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis with accurate underlying financials.
- Drive process improvement and systems initiatives (ERP, automation) to increase efficiency and reduce close-cycle time.
- Manage cash flow reporting and treasury-related accounting matters, including monitoring of receivables and payables ageing.
- Lead, coach and develop the accounting team, building capability and ensuring appropriate segregation of duties.
- Support ad hoc corporate finance projects, including M&A due diligence, system implementations and group restructuring as needed.
What it takes:
- Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), with a recognised degree in Finance or Accounting
- Minimum 10 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 3–5 years in a senior leadership capacity within an MNC or listed environment
- Proven track record of managing full P&L and balance sheet responsibility for a regional or country entity
- Strong experience partnering with global HQ and cross-functional stakeholders across matrixed reporting lines
- Hands-on exposure to ERP systems (SAP preferred) and driving finance transformation or process improvement initiatives
- Demonstrated ability to lead through periods of growth - scaling teams, systems and controls in tandem with business expansion
- Solid grounding in statutory compliance, tax, and audit management across multiple jurisdictions
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, comfortable presenting to board/regional leadership
- Resilient, commercially minded, and able to operate autonomously in a fast-paced, high-growth business
