Financial Controller

Overview

This senior finance role reports directly to the Group Managing Director in Singapore and leads the local finance team of approximately six members. The primary responsibility is to ensure the accuracy, control, and statutory compliance of the Singapore operations, encompassing retail, e-commerce, and distribution sectors. The position involves close coordination with external stakeholders, including landlords and auditors, as well as collaboration with the Malaysia finance team to align group processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain strict internal controls and oversee the payment authorization process, serving as the final checkpoint for outgoing payments.
• Implement segregation of duties, approval thresholds, and documentation standards to ensure proper financial governance.
• Conduct detailed reviews of transactions, reconciliations, and journal entries prior to approval.
• Ensure compliance with all Singapore statutory requirements across various entities, including retail, distribution, and investment holding companies, managing filings related to ACRA, GST, IRAS corporate tax, and annual statutory declarations.
• Manage comprehensive financial records and reporting for the investment holding entities.
• Act as the primary contact for the annual external audit, facilitating a smooth and timely close process.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and divisional/retail reporting.
• Lead financial planning activities such as forecasting, budgeting, and cash flow reporting with an emphasis on accuracy and punctuality.
• Deliver precise and timely external reporting to landlords, brand principals, franchisors, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies, managing gross turnover and royalty obligation reporting.
• Oversee local treasury functions including banking relationships, cash management, fixed deposits, foreign exchange transactions, and bank guarantees, while managing working capital effectively.
• Partner with retail, e-commerce, and distribution departments to monitor inventory, margins, and costs, providing commercial insights and fostering interdepartmental collaboration.
• Drive finance process improvements and transformation initiatives by standardizing workflows, improving internal controls, and leveraging ERP systems such as NetSuite for enhanced efficiency and accuracy in line with group digitalization objectives.
• Lead, develop, and review the Singapore finance team to build capability, promote succession planning, and reduce dependency on key individuals.
• Collaborate with the Malaysia finance team on process standardization, reporting alignment, and support for group reporting and intercompany transactions.
• Provide support for corporate initiatives, special projects, and other tasks as assigned by the Group Managing Director.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance along with professional certification such as CA (Singapore), ACCA, or CPA.
• More than 10 years of finance experience, including senior roles such as controller, ideally within retail, distribution, or FMCG sectors operating multi-entity setups.
• Strong technical expertise in Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS), GST, corporate tax, month-end closing, and financial consolidation.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems, preferably NetSuite.
• Excellent communication skills capable of effectively interfacing with internal departments and external parties including landlords, brand owners, banks, and auditors.
• Detail-oriented with a strong mindset focused on integrity, responsibility for payment control, and professional conduct under pressure.

Behavioral Competencies - LEAD PRISM+

• People Leadership: Ability to lead and cultivate trust within the team, develop individuals, coach effectively, and build a succession plan to mitigate key-person risk.
• Responsibility & Ownership: Demonstrates full accountability for the finance function; proactively manages risks and delivers outcomes independently.
• Integrity & Company Pride: Upholds ethical standards and company values consistently, even during challenging situations; represents the company professionally.
• Commercial Thinking: Balances financial discipline with growth, translating accounting data into sound business decisions while supporting cost and margin management.
• Adaptability & Change Leadership: Encourages a positive approach to change, especially during regional operational transitions and process digitalization initiatives; resilient and future-oriented.